PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol responses to components of energy drinks in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
items: A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Ascotrichia Flint, 1983 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)
items: Assessment of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients admitted to the emergency room: a descriptive study from a Turkish hospital
items: Global distribution and diversity of Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyta, Mediophyceae): integration of classical and novel strategies
items: A comparative study of root canal shaping using protaper universal and protaper next rotary files in preclinical dental education
items: https://peerj.com/articles/7472
items: Serological evidence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection in older adults in Khon Kaen, Thailand and the estimated rates of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection in Thais, 2017
items: Improvement of subsoil physicochemical and microbial properties by short-term fallow practices
items: Monitoring and analysis of the expansion of the Ajmr Port, Davao City, Philippines using multi-source remote sensing data
items: Trophic upgrading and mobilization of wax esters in microzooplankton

Anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol responses to components of energy drinks in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The current study investigated the independent and combined effects of caffeine and taurine on anxiety-like behavior and neuroendocrine responses in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylpurine-2,6-dione), the world’s most commonly used psychoactive drug, acts as an adenosine receptor blocker and a mild central nervous system stimulant. However, excessive use of caffeine is associated with heightened anxiety levels. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a semi-essential amino acid synthesized within the human brain, has been hypothesized to play a role in regulating anxiolytic behavior. Caffeine and taurine are two common additives in energy drinks and are often found in high concentrations in these beverages. However, few studies have investigated the interaction of these two chemicals with regards to anxiety measures. A suitable vertebrate to examine anxiety-like behavior and physiological stress responses is the zebrafish, which has shown promise due to substantial physiological and genetic homology with humans. Anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish can be determined by analyzing habituation to novelty when fish are placed into a novel tank and scototaxis (light avoidance) behavior in the light-dark test. Stress-related neuroendocrine responses can be measured in zebrafish by analyzing whole-body cortisol levels. The goal of this study was to determine if exposure to caffeine, taurine, or a combination of the two compounds altered anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol levels in zebrafish relative to control. Zebrafish were individually exposed to either caffeine (100 mg/L), taurine (400 mg/L), or both for 15 min. Zebrafish in the control group were handled in the same manner but were only exposed to system tank water. After treatment, fish were transferred to the novel tank test or the light-dark test. Behavior was tracked for the first 6 min in the novel tank and 15 min in the light-tark test. Fifteen min after introduction to the behavior…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alia O. Alia
creator: Maureen L. Petrunich-Rutherford
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7546
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Alia and Petrunich-Rutherford
abstract: The current study investigated the independent and combined effects of caffeine and taurine on anxiety-like behavior and neuroendocrine responses in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylpurine-2,6-dione), the world’s most commonly used psychoactive drug, acts as an adenosine receptor blocker and a mild central nervous system stimulant. However, excessive use of caffeine is associated with heightened anxiety levels. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a semi-essential amino acid synthesized within the human brain, has been hypothesized to play a role in regulating anxiolytic behavior. Caffeine and taurine are two common additives in energy drinks and are often found in high concentrations in these beverages. However, few studies have investigated the interaction of these two chemicals with regards to anxiety measures. A suitable vertebrate to examine anxiety-like behavior and physiological stress responses is the zebrafish, which has shown promise due to substantial physiological and genetic homology with humans. Anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish can be determined by analyzing habituation to novelty when fish are placed into a novel tank and scototaxis (light avoidance) behavior in the light-dark test. Stress-related neuroendocrine responses can be measured in zebrafish by analyzing whole-body cortisol levels. The goal of this study was to determine if exposure to caffeine, taurine, or a combination of the two compounds altered anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol levels in zebrafish relative to control. Zebrafish were individually exposed to either caffeine (100 mg/L), taurine (400 mg/L), or both for 15 min. Zebrafish in the control group were handled in the same manner but were only exposed to system tank water. After treatment, fish were transferred to the novel tank test or the light-dark test. Behavior was tracked for the first 6 min in the novel tank and 15 min in the light-tark test. Fifteen min after introduction to the behavior…
bibliographic citation: Alia et al. (2019) Anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol responses to components of energy drinks in zebrafish (Danio rerio). PeerJ 7:e7546 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7546
date submitted: 2019-04-18
date accepted: 2019-07-25
issued: 2019-08-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alia
  given name: Alia O.
author list: Agent
  family name: Petrunich-Rutherford
  given name: Maureen L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7546
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-20
copyright: © 2019 Alia and Petrunich-Rutherford
attribution name: Alia and Petrunich-Rutherford

A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Ascotrichia Flint, 1983 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: A revision of the microcaddisfly genus Ascotrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) is provided, including a generic diagnosis, illustrations, and descriptions of males. This genus is endemic to the Neotropical region and has been recorded from countries in northern South America. Adults of the genus are notable within the family for the contrasting black and green hairs on the forewings. A total of six species are treated, three described as new: Ascotrichia adirecta sp. n. (Brazil), A. hystricosa sp. n. (Brazil), and A. simoma sp. n. (Brazil).
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Robin E. Thomson
subject: Entomology
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7560
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Thomson
abstract: A revision of the microcaddisfly genus Ascotrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) is provided, including a generic diagnosis, illustrations, and descriptions of males. This genus is endemic to the Neotropical region and has been recorded from countries in northern South America. Adults of the genus are notable within the family for the contrasting black and green hairs on the forewings. A total of six species are treated, three described as new: Ascotrichia adirecta sp. n. (Brazil), A. hystricosa sp. n. (Brazil), and A. simoma sp. n. (Brazil).
bibliographic citation: Thomson (2019) A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Ascotrichia Flint, 1983 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae). PeerJ 7:e7560 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7560
date submitted: 2019-06-12
date accepted: 2019-07-26
issued: 2019-08-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Thomson
  given name: Robin E.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7560
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-20
copyright: © 2019 Thomson
attribution name: Thomson

Assessment of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients admitted to the emergency room: a descriptive study from a Turkish hospital
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The main aim of this study was to assess the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER). Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with CAM use. Methods This was a descriptive study. A total of 951 patients who were admitted to the ER of a tertiary hospital between October 2018 and November 2018 were enrolled. Data were obtained using a questionnaire that was prepared by the researchers considering the literature data. Results The mean age of the patients was 37.98 ± 15.65 years. Of the 951 patients, 48.4% (n = 460) were female and 51.6% (n = 491) were male. The rate of patients who used CAM at least once was 47.3% (n = 450). The most frequently used CAM methods were herbal therapy (68.9%), massage (40.7%), dietary supplements (24.7%), and hijama (24.2%). Being aged 64 years or younger (p = 0.001), having an education level of university or higher (p = 0.006), having an income more than minimum wage (p = 0.016), and having a chronic disease (p = 0.003) were found to be associated with CAM use in this study. Discussion CAM methods were used by a considerable proportion of patients admitted to the ER. Physicians should incorporate CAM use history in their patient assessments and should provide accurate and unbiased information about CAM methods.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hakan Hakkoymaz
creator: Burhan Fatih Koçyiğit
subject: Emergency and Critical Care
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7584
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Hakkoymaz et al.
abstract: Background The main aim of this study was to assess the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER). Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with CAM use. Methods This was a descriptive study. A total of 951 patients who were admitted to the ER of a tertiary hospital between October 2018 and November 2018 were enrolled. Data were obtained using a questionnaire that was prepared by the researchers considering the literature data. Results The mean age of the patients was 37.98 ± 15.65 years. Of the 951 patients, 48.4% (n = 460) were female and 51.6% (n = 491) were male. The rate of patients who used CAM at least once was 47.3% (n = 450). The most frequently used CAM methods were herbal therapy (68.9%), massage (40.7%), dietary supplements (24.7%), and hijama (24.2%). Being aged 64 years or younger (p = 0.001), having an education level of university or higher (p = 0.006), having an income more than minimum wage (p = 0.016), and having a chronic disease (p = 0.003) were found to be associated with CAM use in this study. Discussion CAM methods were used by a considerable proportion of patients admitted to the ER. Physicians should incorporate CAM use history in their patient assessments and should provide accurate and unbiased information about CAM methods.
bibliographic citation: Hakkoymaz et al. (2019) Assessment of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients admitted to the emergency room: a descriptive study from a Turkish hospital. PeerJ 7:e7584 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7584
date submitted: 2018-12-04
date accepted: 2019-07-30
issued: 2019-08-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hakkoymaz
  given name: Hakan
author list: Agent
  family name: Koçyiğit
  given name: Burhan Fatih
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7584
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-20
copyright: ©2019 Hakkoymaz et al.
attribution name: Hakkoymaz et al.

Global distribution and diversity of Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyta, Mediophyceae): integration of classical and novel strategies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Information on taxa distribution is a prerequisite for many research fields, and biological records are a major source of data contributing to biogeographic studies. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) are important infrastructures facilitating free and open access to classical biological data from several sources in both temporal and spatial scales. Over the last ten years, high throughput sequencing (HTS) metabarcoding data have become available, which constitute a great source of detailed occurrence data. Among the global sampling projects that have contributed to such data are Tara Oceans and the Ocean Sampling Day (OSD). Integration of classical and metabarcoding data may aid a more comprehensive assessment of the geographic range of species, especially of microscopic ones such as protists. Rare, small and cryptic species are often ignored in surveys or mis-assigned with the classical approaches. Here we show how integration of data from various sources can contribute to insight in the biogeography and diversity at the genus- and species-level using Chaetoceros as study system, one of the most diverse and abundant genera among marine planktonic diatoms. Chaetoceros records were extracted from GBIF and OBIS and literature data were collected by means of a Google Scholar search. Chaetoceros references barcodes where mapped against the metabarcode datasets of Tara Oceans (210 sites) and OSD (144 sites). We compared the resolution of different data sources in determining the global distribution of the genus and provided examples, at the species level, of detection of cryptic species, endemism and cosmopolitan or restricted distributions. Our results highlighted at genus level a comparable picture from the different sources but a more complete assessment when data were integrated. Both the importance of the integration but also the challenges related to it were illustrated. Chaetoceros data collec…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Daniele De Luca
creator: Wiebe H.C.F. Kooistra
creator: Diana Sarno
creator: Chetan C. Gaonkar
creator: Roberta Piredda
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7410
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 De Luca et al.
abstract: Information on taxa distribution is a prerequisite for many research fields, and biological records are a major source of data contributing to biogeographic studies. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) are important infrastructures facilitating free and open access to classical biological data from several sources in both temporal and spatial scales. Over the last ten years, high throughput sequencing (HTS) metabarcoding data have become available, which constitute a great source of detailed occurrence data. Among the global sampling projects that have contributed to such data are Tara Oceans and the Ocean Sampling Day (OSD). Integration of classical and metabarcoding data may aid a more comprehensive assessment of the geographic range of species, especially of microscopic ones such as protists. Rare, small and cryptic species are often ignored in surveys or mis-assigned with the classical approaches. Here we show how integration of data from various sources can contribute to insight in the biogeography and diversity at the genus- and species-level using Chaetoceros as study system, one of the most diverse and abundant genera among marine planktonic diatoms. Chaetoceros records were extracted from GBIF and OBIS and literature data were collected by means of a Google Scholar search. Chaetoceros references barcodes where mapped against the metabarcode datasets of Tara Oceans (210 sites) and OSD (144 sites). We compared the resolution of different data sources in determining the global distribution of the genus and provided examples, at the species level, of detection of cryptic species, endemism and cosmopolitan or restricted distributions. Our results highlighted at genus level a comparable picture from the different sources but a more complete assessment when data were integrated. Both the importance of the integration but also the challenges related to it were illustrated. Chaetoceros data collec…
bibliographic citation: De Luca et al. (2019) Global distribution and diversity of Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyta, Mediophyceae): integration of classical and novel strategies. PeerJ 7:e7410 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7410
date submitted: 2018-11-11
date accepted: 2019-07-04
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: De Luca
  given name: Daniele
author list: Agent
  family name: Kooistra
  given name: Wiebe H.C.F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sarno
  given name: Diana
author list: Agent
  family name: Gaonkar
  given name: Chetan C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Piredda
  given name: Roberta
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7410
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: ©2019 De Luca et al.
attribution name: De Luca et al.

A comparative study of root canal shaping using protaper universal and protaper next rotary files in preclinical dental education
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Dentistry has undergone an evolution in endodontics practice caused by the advancement of rotary techniques for root canal preparation and their subsequent incorporation into the teaching of dentistry undergraduates. This research aimed to evaluate the shaping ability of third-year dental students as their first experience in rotary instrumentation using ProTaper Universal (PTU) and ProTaper Next (PTN) (Dentsply Maillefer) rotary instruments in simulated curved canals. Methods Forty students instrumented 200 simulated canals with a 40° curvature in resin blocks according to the manufacturer’s instructions with PTU and 39 students and 195 canals with PTN files. The canals were prepared at a speed of 300 rpm using a 16:1 reduction hand-piece powered by an electric motor (Xsmart; Dentsply Maillefer). The final apical preparation was set to F2 for the PTU and X2 for the PTN group. The change in canal curvature was evaluated based on Schneider technique using the AutoCAD 2007 software on post-digital photographs. The incidence of instrument fracture and deformation, the incidence of ledge, the change in working length (WL), and the working time were noted. The data were analyzed with Student’s t-test and Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS. Results PTN maintained the original canal curvature better, resulting in fewer fractures and ledges, and shaped the canals faster than the PTU (P < 0.05). The mean curves of the resin canals after the instrumentation for the PTU and PTN groups were 24.03° ± 3.14° and 25.64° ± 2.72°, respectively. Thirty-three (17.4%) PTU and 18 (9.3%) PTN files fractured (p < 0.05). Nine (4.5%) PTU and 2 (2.6%) PTN deformed (p > 0.05). The change in WL after instrumentation was 0.97 mm ± 0.95 mm in PTU and 0.96 mm ± 0.80 mm in PTN (p < 0.05). The mean times were 627 s ± 18 s for PTU and 379 s ± 18 s for PTN (p < 0.000). Discussion PTN can be recommended in severely curved root canals in terms of maintenance of the ori…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gül Çelik
creator: Feyza Özdemir Kısacık
creator: Emir Faruk Yılmaz
creator: Arife Mersinlioğlu
creator: İhsan Furkan Ertuğrul
creator: Hikmet Orhan
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Dentistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7419
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Çelik et al.
abstract: Background Dentistry has undergone an evolution in endodontics practice caused by the advancement of rotary techniques for root canal preparation and their subsequent incorporation into the teaching of dentistry undergraduates. This research aimed to evaluate the shaping ability of third-year dental students as their first experience in rotary instrumentation using ProTaper Universal (PTU) and ProTaper Next (PTN) (Dentsply Maillefer) rotary instruments in simulated curved canals. Methods Forty students instrumented 200 simulated canals with a 40° curvature in resin blocks according to the manufacturer’s instructions with PTU and 39 students and 195 canals with PTN files. The canals were prepared at a speed of 300 rpm using a 16:1 reduction hand-piece powered by an electric motor (Xsmart; Dentsply Maillefer). The final apical preparation was set to F2 for the PTU and X2 for the PTN group. The change in canal curvature was evaluated based on Schneider technique using the AutoCAD 2007 software on post-digital photographs. The incidence of instrument fracture and deformation, the incidence of ledge, the change in working length (WL), and the working time were noted. The data were analyzed with Student’s t-test and Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS. Results PTN maintained the original canal curvature better, resulting in fewer fractures and ledges, and shaped the canals faster than the PTU (P < 0.05). The mean curves of the resin canals after the instrumentation for the PTU and PTN groups were 24.03° ± 3.14° and 25.64° ± 2.72°, respectively. Thirty-three (17.4%) PTU and 18 (9.3%) PTN files fractured (p < 0.05). Nine (4.5%) PTU and 2 (2.6%) PTN deformed (p > 0.05). The change in WL after instrumentation was 0.97 mm ± 0.95 mm in PTU and 0.96 mm ± 0.80 mm in PTN (p < 0.05). The mean times were 627 s ± 18 s for PTU and 379 s ± 18 s for PTN (p < 0.000). Discussion PTN can be recommended in severely curved root canals in terms of maintenance of the ori…
bibliographic citation: Çelik et al. (2019) A comparative study of root canal shaping using protaper universal and protaper next rotary files in preclinical dental education. PeerJ 7:e7419 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7419
date submitted: 2018-12-19
date accepted: 2019-07-05
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Çelik
  given name: Gül
author list: Agent
  family name: Özdemir Kısacık
  given name: Feyza
author list: Agent
  family name: Yılmaz
  given name: Emir Faruk
author list: Agent
  family name: Mersinlioğlu
  given name: Arife
author list: Agent
  family name: Ertuğrul
  given name: İhsan Furkan
author list: Agent
  family name: Orhan
  given name: Hikmet
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7419
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: ©2019 Çelik et al.
attribution name: Çelik et al.

https://peerj.com/articles/7472
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Redescription of Hargeria rapax (Harger, 1879) and description of H. chetumalensis a new species from the Mexican Caribbean (Crustacea, Peracarida, Tanaidacea, Leptocheliidae) based upon morphological and molecular evidence
description: Until now, Hargeria was considered a monospecific leptocheliid genus, with the species Hargeria rapax considered a taxon with a wide distribution, from the Northwestern Atlantic to the Mexican Caribbean. Herein, after a detailed revision of type and topotype materials and specimens collected from the Mexican Caribbean, a new species H. chetumalensis sp. nov. is described, and the redescription of H. rapax is provided. Also, we found a significant genetic divergence between the two species based on the nucleotide sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, which support the morphological data. The morphological features used to recognize both species are also adequate to link males, females, and juvenile stages, although these species have a high intraspecific polymorphism.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jani Jarquín-González
creator: Luis F. Carrera-Parra
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7472
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Jarquín-González and Carrera-Parra
abstract: Until now, Hargeria was considered a monospecific leptocheliid genus, with the species Hargeria rapax considered a taxon with a wide distribution, from the Northwestern Atlantic to the Mexican Caribbean. Herein, after a detailed revision of type and topotype materials and specimens collected from the Mexican Caribbean, a new species H. chetumalensis sp. nov. is described, and the redescription of H. rapax is provided. Also, we found a significant genetic divergence between the two species based on the nucleotide sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, which support the morphological data. The morphological features used to recognize both species are also adequate to link males, females, and juvenile stages, although these species have a high intraspecific polymorphism.
bibliographic citation: Jarquín-González et al. (2019) Redescription of Hargeria rapax (Harger, 1879) and description of H. chetumalensis a new species from the Mexican Caribbean (Crustacea, Peracarida, Tanaidacea, Leptocheliidae) based upon morphological and molecular evidence. PeerJ 7:e7472 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7472
date submitted: 2019-04-10
date accepted: 2019-07-15
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jarquín-González
  given name: Jani
author list: Agent
  family name: Carrera-Parra
  given name: Luis F.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7472
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: © 2019 Jarquín-González and Carrera-Parra
attribution name: Jarquín-González and Carrera-Parra

Serological evidence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection in older adults in Khon Kaen, Thailand and the estimated rates of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection in Thais, 2017
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are hepatotropic viruses responsible for acute/chronic hepatitis associated with liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the limited data on the prevalence of hepatitis in the older population in Thailand, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of these viruses in elderly Thais. Using an automated immunoassay, serum samples from individuals older than 60 years of age in Chum Phae district of Khon Kaen province in northeast Thailand were analyzed for anti-HAV (n = 93), HBV markers (n = 460, HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc), and anti-HCV (n = 460). Samples were classified into five age groups (61–65, 66–70, 71–75, 76–80, and >80 years). The overall seroprevalence of anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV was 98.9%, 4.6%, 51.5%, 32.4%, and 1.3%, respectively. When samples were stratified into three groups representing three generations (children/young adults aged 6 months-30 years and middle-aged adults between 31–60 years old from a previous survey, and older adults aged >60 years from the current study), the highest levels of anti-HAV and anti-HBc were found in older adults. Children/young adults had the lowest levels of HBsAg and anti-HCV, and the highest level of anti-HBs. These findings are consistent with the integration of HBV vaccination into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992 and coincide with increased awareness of blood-borne viral transmission in Thailand. Extrapolating from our data, the estimated numbers of cases of chronic HBV and HCV infection in Thailand in 2017 were 2.2 and 0.79 million, respectively. Thus, effective treatments for viral hepatitis B and C for middle-aged and elderly Thais are needed. This seroprevalence survey could be used to help formulate policies and possible guidelines for treatment and prevention in specific age groups, which is recommended to facilitate the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nawarat Posuwan
creator: Viboonsak Vuthitanachot
creator: Teeraporn Chinchai
creator: Rujipat Wasitthankasem
creator: Nasamon Wanlapakorn
creator: Yong Poovorawan
subject: Virology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7492
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Posuwan et al.
abstract: Hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are hepatotropic viruses responsible for acute/chronic hepatitis associated with liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the limited data on the prevalence of hepatitis in the older population in Thailand, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of these viruses in elderly Thais. Using an automated immunoassay, serum samples from individuals older than 60 years of age in Chum Phae district of Khon Kaen province in northeast Thailand were analyzed for anti-HAV (n = 93), HBV markers (n = 460, HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc), and anti-HCV (n = 460). Samples were classified into five age groups (61–65, 66–70, 71–75, 76–80, and >80 years). The overall seroprevalence of anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV was 98.9%, 4.6%, 51.5%, 32.4%, and 1.3%, respectively. When samples were stratified into three groups representing three generations (children/young adults aged 6 months-30 years and middle-aged adults between 31–60 years old from a previous survey, and older adults aged >60 years from the current study), the highest levels of anti-HAV and anti-HBc were found in older adults. Children/young adults had the lowest levels of HBsAg and anti-HCV, and the highest level of anti-HBs. These findings are consistent with the integration of HBV vaccination into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992 and coincide with increased awareness of blood-borne viral transmission in Thailand. Extrapolating from our data, the estimated numbers of cases of chronic HBV and HCV infection in Thailand in 2017 were 2.2 and 0.79 million, respectively. Thus, effective treatments for viral hepatitis B and C for middle-aged and elderly Thais are needed. This seroprevalence survey could be used to help formulate policies and possible guidelines for treatment and prevention in specific age groups, which is recommended to facilitate the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
bibliographic citation: Posuwan et al. (2019) Serological evidence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection in older adults in Khon Kaen, Thailand and the estimated rates of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection in Thais, 2017. PeerJ 7:e7492 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7492
date submitted: 2019-04-29
date accepted: 2019-07-16
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Posuwan
  given name: Nawarat
author list: Agent
  family name: Vuthitanachot
  given name: Viboonsak
author list: Agent
  family name: Chinchai
  given name: Teeraporn
author list: Agent
  family name: Wasitthankasem
  given name: Rujipat
author list: Agent
  family name: Wanlapakorn
  given name: Nasamon
author list: Agent
  family name: Poovorawan
  given name: Yong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7492
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: ©2019 Posuwan et al.
attribution name: Posuwan et al.

Improvement of subsoil physicochemical and microbial properties by short-term fallow practices
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Fallow management can improve the soil nutrients in the topsoil and upper subsoil. However, little is known about the effects of short-term (one year) fallowing with different treatments, such as vegetation and fertilization, on subsoil (20–40 cm) properties. We conducted field trials to explore the changes in subsoil properties in response to such treatments in the Yellow River Delta region in China. Different vegetation and fertilization treatments were applied, and we measured the carbon and nitrogen contents, microbial biomass and microbial community structure in the subsoil. Fallowing without manure resulted in the storage of more total nitrogen (16.38%) than fallowing with manure, and meadow vegetation improved the ammonium nitrogen content (45.71%) relative to spontaneous vegetation. Spontaneous vegetation with manure improved the microbial biomass nitrogen (P < 0.05). Although the impact of short-term fallowing on microbial community structure was low, an effect of management was observed for some genera. Blastopirellula, Lysobacter, and Acidobacteria Gp6 showed significant differences among fallow treatments by the end of the year (P < 0.05). Blastopirellula abundance was related to the microbial biomass nitrogen and nitrogen mineralization rate in the subsoil. Manure retained a high abundance of Lysobacter, which may strengthen soil-borne disease resistance. The response of Acidobacteria Gp6 showed that meadow vegetation without manure may not benefit future crops. Although the treatments did not significantly improve microbial community structure in the one-year period, annual fallowing improved certain subsoil properties and increased the number of functional genera, which may enhance crop productivity in the future.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Guangyu Li
creator: Walter Timo de Vries
creator: Cifang Wu
creator: Hongyu Zheng
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7501
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Li et al.
abstract: Fallow management can improve the soil nutrients in the topsoil and upper subsoil. However, little is known about the effects of short-term (one year) fallowing with different treatments, such as vegetation and fertilization, on subsoil (20–40 cm) properties. We conducted field trials to explore the changes in subsoil properties in response to such treatments in the Yellow River Delta region in China. Different vegetation and fertilization treatments were applied, and we measured the carbon and nitrogen contents, microbial biomass and microbial community structure in the subsoil. Fallowing without manure resulted in the storage of more total nitrogen (16.38%) than fallowing with manure, and meadow vegetation improved the ammonium nitrogen content (45.71%) relative to spontaneous vegetation. Spontaneous vegetation with manure improved the microbial biomass nitrogen (P < 0.05). Although the impact of short-term fallowing on microbial community structure was low, an effect of management was observed for some genera. Blastopirellula, Lysobacter, and Acidobacteria Gp6 showed significant differences among fallow treatments by the end of the year (P < 0.05). Blastopirellula abundance was related to the microbial biomass nitrogen and nitrogen mineralization rate in the subsoil. Manure retained a high abundance of Lysobacter, which may strengthen soil-borne disease resistance. The response of Acidobacteria Gp6 showed that meadow vegetation without manure may not benefit future crops. Although the treatments did not significantly improve microbial community structure in the one-year period, annual fallowing improved certain subsoil properties and increased the number of functional genera, which may enhance crop productivity in the future.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2019) Improvement of subsoil physicochemical and microbial properties by short-term fallow practices. PeerJ 7:e7501 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7501
date submitted: 2019-02-02
date accepted: 2019-07-17
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Guangyu
author list: Agent
  family name: de Vries
  given name: Walter Timo
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Cifang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Hongyu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7501
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: ©2019 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

Monitoring and analysis of the expansion of the Ajmr Port, Davao City, Philippines using multi-source remote sensing data
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Ports have been built or expanded in a number of countries to cater to increasing maritime trade in the 21st century. Port expansion is associated with economic and environmental impacts on the local and regional scales, and these impacts can be studied using remote sensing. The present study presents new results from multi-source remote sensing monitoring of the Ajmr Port expansion. An analysis of land use and vegetation coverage at the port is used to monitor the impact of port construction on the local ecology, while changes in roads, buildings, and lights are used to monitor the economic impact. The results show that: (1) After nine years of expansion, the port area has gradually expanded from the central to the southern coastal area, with an increase of 21.68 hectares during the expansion period. After the expansion, the area of builidings and construction in the study area increased significantly, while the area of water and green areas decreased significantly, indicating that the port construction changed the land use structure of the area. (2) From the perspective of vegetation coverage, the vegetation coverage within 5 km from the port is in good condition. After 9 years, the vegetation coverage in the region between 0.6 and 1 increased from 43.71% to 44.25%, reflecting the higher overall greening level in the region. (3) By analyzing the increase in roads and buildings, it can be seen that the port’s comprehensive transportation capacity has improved, the population of the region has increased significantly. As the scale of construction has been continuously expanded , the prosperity as increased. (4) By analyzing the changes in the light index, the light data from the northeast to the southwest in the region is very obvious, and it is clearly located along the coast, indicating that the economic development of the coastal zone is faster than other regions, and the coastal region has promoted the development of the inland region.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Humei Li
creator: Mingquan Wu
creator: Dinghui Tian
creator: Lianxi Wu
creator: Zheng Niu
subject: Environmental Impacts
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7512
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Li et al.
abstract: Ports have been built or expanded in a number of countries to cater to increasing maritime trade in the 21st century. Port expansion is associated with economic and environmental impacts on the local and regional scales, and these impacts can be studied using remote sensing. The present study presents new results from multi-source remote sensing monitoring of the Ajmr Port expansion. An analysis of land use and vegetation coverage at the port is used to monitor the impact of port construction on the local ecology, while changes in roads, buildings, and lights are used to monitor the economic impact. The results show that: (1) After nine years of expansion, the port area has gradually expanded from the central to the southern coastal area, with an increase of 21.68 hectares during the expansion period. After the expansion, the area of builidings and construction in the study area increased significantly, while the area of water and green areas decreased significantly, indicating that the port construction changed the land use structure of the area. (2) From the perspective of vegetation coverage, the vegetation coverage within 5 km from the port is in good condition. After 9 years, the vegetation coverage in the region between 0.6 and 1 increased from 43.71% to 44.25%, reflecting the higher overall greening level in the region. (3) By analyzing the increase in roads and buildings, it can be seen that the port’s comprehensive transportation capacity has improved, the population of the region has increased significantly. As the scale of construction has been continuously expanded , the prosperity as increased. (4) By analyzing the changes in the light index, the light data from the northeast to the southwest in the region is very obvious, and it is clearly located along the coast, indicating that the economic development of the coastal zone is faster than other regions, and the coastal region has promoted the development of the inland region.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2019) Monitoring and analysis of the expansion of the Ajmr Port, Davao City, Philippines using multi-source remote sensing data. PeerJ 7:e7512 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7512
date submitted: 2019-05-06
date accepted: 2019-07-18
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Humei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Mingquan
author list: Agent
  family name: Tian
  given name: Dinghui
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Lianxi
author list: Agent
  family name: Niu
  given name: Zheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7512
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: ©2019 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

Trophic upgrading and mobilization of wax esters in microzooplankton
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Heterotrophic protists play pivotal roles in aquatic ecosystems by transferring matter and energy, including lipids, from primary producers to higher trophic predators. Using Oxyrrhis marina as a model organism, changes to the non-saponifiable protist lipids were investigated under satiation and starvation conditions. During active feeding on the alga Cryptomonas sp., the O. marina hexane soluble non-saponifiable fraction lipid profile reflected its food source with the observed presence of long chain mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols up to C25:1. Evidence of trophic upgrading in O. marina was observed with long chain mono-unsaturated fatty alcohol accumulation of up to C35:1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence that heterotrophic dinoflagellates are capable of producing ester derived alcohols and that dinoflagellates like O. marina are capable of synthesizing fatty alcohols up to C35. Additionally, we show evidence of trophic upgrading of lipids. During a 20-day resource deprivation, the lipid profile remained constant. During starvation, the mobilization of wax esters as energy stores was observed with long chain fatty alcohols mobilized first. Changes in lipid class profile and utilization of wax esters in O. marina provides insight into the types of lipids available for energy demand, the transfer of lipids through the base of marine food webs, and the catabolic response induced by resource deprivation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Keyana Roohani
creator: Brad A. Haubrich
creator: Kai-Lou Yue
creator: Nigel D’Souza
creator: Amanda Montalbano
creator: Tatiana Rynearson
creator: Susanne Menden-Deuer
creator: Christopher W. Reid
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7549
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Roohani et al.
abstract: Heterotrophic protists play pivotal roles in aquatic ecosystems by transferring matter and energy, including lipids, from primary producers to higher trophic predators. Using Oxyrrhis marina as a model organism, changes to the non-saponifiable protist lipids were investigated under satiation and starvation conditions. During active feeding on the alga Cryptomonas sp., the O. marina hexane soluble non-saponifiable fraction lipid profile reflected its food source with the observed presence of long chain mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols up to C25:1. Evidence of trophic upgrading in O. marina was observed with long chain mono-unsaturated fatty alcohol accumulation of up to C35:1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence that heterotrophic dinoflagellates are capable of producing ester derived alcohols and that dinoflagellates like O. marina are capable of synthesizing fatty alcohols up to C35. Additionally, we show evidence of trophic upgrading of lipids. During a 20-day resource deprivation, the lipid profile remained constant. During starvation, the mobilization of wax esters as energy stores was observed with long chain fatty alcohols mobilized first. Changes in lipid class profile and utilization of wax esters in O. marina provides insight into the types of lipids available for energy demand, the transfer of lipids through the base of marine food webs, and the catabolic response induced by resource deprivation.
bibliographic citation: Roohani et al. (2019) Trophic upgrading and mobilization of wax esters in microzooplankton. PeerJ 7:e7549 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7549
date submitted: 2019-04-07
date accepted: 2019-07-25
issued: 2019-08-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Roohani
  given name: Keyana
author list: Agent
  family name: Haubrich
  given name: Brad A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Yue
  given name: Kai-Lou
author list: Agent
  family name: D’Souza
  given name: Nigel
author list: Agent
  family name: Montalbano
  given name: Amanda
author list: Agent
  family name: Rynearson
  given name: Tatiana
author list: Agent
  family name: Menden-Deuer
  given name: Susanne
author list: Agent
  family name: Reid
  given name: Christopher W.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7549
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-08-19
copyright: © 2019 Roohani et al.
attribution name: Roohani et al.

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