Effect of assisted walking-movement in patients with genetic and acquired neuromuscular disorders with the motorised Innowalk device: an international case study meta-analysis
People with physical disabilities (PD) suffer from consequences due to lack of physical activity and consequently, are at increased risk of chronic diseases. We aimed to evaluate the ability of a motorised assistive device for dynamic standing with weight-bearing in addition to standard state-of-the-art therapy to improve clinical outcome in a meta-analysis of available studies. A total of 11 studies were identified from different European countries analysing the effect of the dynamic device Innowalk. Raw data of nine studies were pooled including a total of 31 patients observed between 2009 and 2017. Standardised questionnaires and physical outcomes were examined in this exploratory meta-analysis. We recorded patients’ characteristics, duration, intensity, and location of usage as well as general clinical outcomes and improvement of passive range of motion (PROM). The analysed population consisted in 90% cases of patients younger than 18 years of age. Patients were severely disabled individuals (aged 8 (6–10) years; 58% male; 67% non-ambulatory, 86% cerebral palsy). A total of 94% used the Innowalk in a home-based or day-care setting. For nearly all individuals (94%), improvements were recorded for: walking or weight-bearing transfer (n = 13), control/strength of the trunk or head (n = 6), joint mobility (n = 14), sleep (n = 4 out of 6/67%), or muscle strength (n = 17), vital functions (n = 16), bowel function (n = 10), attention/orientation (n = 2). PROM of the hip (flexion, abduction, and adduction) significantly (p < 0.001 for multiple comparisons) increased after 1 month (p < 0.05 flexion, adduction) and further after 5 months (p < 0.05 each) in contrast (p < 0.05 each) to a control group with state-of-the-art therapy. Similarly, PROM showed a trend towards improvement in dorsal extension of the ankle (p = 0.07). In summary, this is the first report of a novel device with additional benefit to standard therapy for severe PD. These intriguing results warrant the planned prospective randomised controlled trial to prove the concept and mechanism of action of this device.
Schmidt-Lucke et al. (2019) Effect of assisted walking-movement in patients with genetic and acquired neuromuscular disorders with the motorised Innowalk device: an international case study meta-analysis. PeerJ 7:e7098 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7098
Expanding global commodities trade and consumption place the world’s primates at risk of extinction
As a consequence of recent human activities. populations of approximately 75% of the world’s primates are in decline, and more than 60% of species (n = 512) are threatened with extinction. Major anthropogenic pressures on primate persistence include the widespread loss and degradation of natural habitats caused by the expansion of industrial agriculture, pastureland for cattle, logging, mining, and fossil fuel extraction. This is the result of growing global market demands for agricultural and nonagricultural commodities. Here, we profile the effects of international trade of forest-risk agricultural and nonagricultural commodities, namely soybean, oil palm, natural rubber, beef, forestry products, fossil fuels, metals, minerals, and gemstones on habitat conversion in the Neotropics, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Total estimated forest loss for these regions between 2001 and 2017 was ca 179 million ha. The average percent of commodity-driven permanent deforestation for the period 2001–2015 was highest in Southeast Asia (47%) followed by the Neotropics (26%), South Asia (26%), and Africa (7%). Commodities exports increased significantly between 2000 and 2016 in all primate range regions leading to the widespread conversion of forested land to agricultural fields and an increase in natural resource extraction. In 2016, US $1.1 trillion of natural-resource commodities were traded by countries in primate range regions. The Neotropics accounted for 41% of the total value of these exports, Southeast Asia for 27%, Africa 21%, and South Asia 11%. Major commodity exporters in 2016 were Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa, countries of high primate diversity and endemism. Among the top 10 importers were China, the US, Japan, and Switzerland. Primate range countries lag far behind importer nations in food security and gross domestic product per capita, suggesting that trade and commodity-driven land-use have done little to generate wealth and well-being in primate habitat countries. Modeling of land-use and projected extinction of primate species by 2050 and 2100 under a business as usual scenario for 61 primate range countries indicate that each country is expected to see a significant increase in the number of species threatened with extinction. To mitigate this impending crisis, we advocate the “greening” of trade, a global shift toward a low-meat diet, reduced consumption of oil seed, diminished use of tropical timber, fossil fuels, metals, minerals, and gemstones from the tropics, accompanied by a stronger and sustained global resolve to regulate and reverse the negative impacts of growing unsustainable global demands and commodity trade on income inequality, and the destruction of primates and their habitats.
Estrada et al. (2019) Expanding global commodities trade and consumption place the world’s primates at risk of extinction. PeerJ 7:e7068 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7068
Repeatedly adopting power postures does not affect hormonal correlates of dominance and affiliative behavior
Background Adopting expansive vs. constrictive postures related to high vs. low levels of social power has been suggested to induce changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, and thereby to mimic hormonal correlates of dominance behavior. However, these findings have been challenged by several non-replications recently. Despite this growing body of evidence that does not support posture effects on hormone levels, the question remains as to whether repeatedly holding postures over time and/or assessing hormonal responses at different time points would yield different outcomes. The current study assesses these methodological characteristics as possible reasons for previous null-findings. Additionally, it investigates for the first time whether expansive and constrictive postures impact progesterone levels, a suggested correlate of affiliative motives and behavior. By testing the effects of repeated but short posture manipulations in between the blocks of a social task while using a cover story, it further fulfills the conditions previously raised as potentially necessary for the effects to occur. Methods A total of 82 male participants repeatedly adopted an expansive or constrictive posture for 2 min in between blocks of a task that consisted in categorizing faces based on first impressions. Saliva samples were taken at two different time points in a time window in which hormonal responses to stress, competition and other manipulations are known to be strongest. Results Neither testosterone and cortisol levels linked to dominance behaviors, nor progesterone levels related to affiliative tendencies, responded differently to adopting expansive as opposed to constrictive postures. The present results suggest that even repeated power posing in a context where social stimuli are task-relevant does not elicit changes in hormone levels.
Metzler et al. (2019) Repeatedly adopting power postures does not affect hormonal correlates of dominance and affiliative behavior. PeerJ 7:e6726 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6726
Mir-421 in plasma as a potential diagnostic biomarker for precancerous gastric lesions and early gastric cancer
Objective MicroRNA (miR)-421 plays a key role in cancer progression. It has been reported that circulating miR-421may be a potential tumor marker for the diagnosis of several cancers. However, the role of miR-421 in plasma as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of precancerous gastric lesions (Pre) and early-stage gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated miR-421 in plasma as a novel potential biomarker for the detection of precancerous gastric lesions and early-stage (GC). Materials & Methods The miRNA content was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MiR-421 content in all subjects was normalized by endogenous miRNA (miR-16). The diagnostic value of miR-421 for Pre and GC was assessed by comparing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with traditional tumor markers, including CEA, CA125, CA153, CA211 and CA50. The correlation between the expression of miR-421 and the pathological characteristics of Pre and GC was analyzed. Results Elevated expression of miR-421 in plasma can robustly distinguish the normal population from Pre and GC cases, especially in the early stages of gastric cancer cases (all p < 0.05). The ROC analyses showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, accuracy and Youden index of miR-421 were superior to traditional tumor markers (CEA, CA125, CA153, CA211, and CA50) in GC diagnosis, while its specificity was higher than CEA, CA153 and CA50 (all p < 0.05). MiR-421 in plasma had higher AUC value than AFP, CA153, CA211 and CA50 in the diagnosis of Pre (all p < 0.05), while specificity, accuracy and Youden index of miR-421 was only lower than CA211. The efficiency of miR-421 in the diagnosis of GC was significantly higher than that of CA211 and CA50, and it was significantly higher than CA153, CA211 and CA50 in the diagnosis of Pre (all p < 0.05). In addition, up-regulation of miR-421 occurred initially in precancerous gastric lesions as well as in the early stage of GC. Conclusions Overexpression of plasma miR-421 is a novel biomarker for the detection of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer.
Chen et al. (2019) Mir-421 in plasma as a potential diagnostic biomarker for precancerous gastric lesions and early gastric cancer. PeerJ 7:e7002 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7002
Influence of nonylphenol exposure on basic growth, development, and thyroid tissue structure in F1 male rats
Objective Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) with a weak ability to mimic estrogen have been associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, little is known about the effect of nonylphenol (NP), a well-known EED, on thyroid structure. The present study evaluates whether gestational and lactational exposure to NP impacts growth and thyroid structure in F1 male rats. Methods A total of 60 rats were gavaged with NP (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), estradiol (E2, 30 μg/kg/day), and corn oil alone (vehicle control) from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. Serum thyroid hormones free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were detected by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. The NP level in the thyroid was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The ultrastructure of follicular epithelial cells was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Histopathology was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results On PND 0, exposure to 50 and 100 mg/kg/day NP led to a significant decrease in the average litter size, litter weight and number of live pups per litter compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Dams exposed to NP during perinatal period demonstrated decreased serum levels of FT3 and FT4 in F1 male rats, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The NP level in the control group was 3.39 ± 0.08 ng/mg, while NP levels in the low, middle, and high dose groups ranged from 5.20 to 11.00 ng/mg. Exposure caused a dose-related increase in NP level in the thyroid of male pups (P < 0.01). The thicknesses of the thyroid follicular epithelium were 2.06 ± 0.37 μm in the control group and 3.97 ± 1.61 μm in the high-dose group. The thickness of the thyroid follicular epithelium increased with an increase in treatment dose in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The sizes of the thyroid follicles were 1,405.53 ± 866.62 μm2 in the control group and 317.49 ± 231.15 μm2 in the high-dose group. With increasing NP dosages, animals showed a decreased size of the thyroid follicle (P < 0.01). Thyroid follicular cells of NP-treated rats showed mildly swollen mitochondria and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Nonylphenol can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in the thyroid of F1 male rats. Gestational and lactational exposure to NP in dams impacted both development and growth of pups and damaged the ultrastructure of their thyroid tissue, which may further negatively influence normal thyroid function.
Wang et al. (2019) Influence of nonylphenol exposure on basic growth, development, and thyroid tissue structure in F1 male rats. PeerJ 7:e7039 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7039
Symmetry preference in shapes, faces, flowers and landscapes
Most people like symmetry, and symmetry has been extensively used in visual art and architecture. In this study, we compared preference for images of abstract and familiar objects in the original format or when containing perfect bilateral symmetry. We created pairs of images for different categories: male faces, female faces, polygons, smoothed version of the polygons, flowers, and landscapes. This design allows us to compare symmetry preference in different domains. Each observer saw all categories randomly interleaved but saw only one of the two images in a pair. After recording preference, we recorded a rating of how salient the symmetry was for each image, and measured how quickly observers could decide which of the two images in a pair was symmetrical. Results reveal a general preference for symmetry in the case of shapes and faces. For landscapes, natural (no perfect symmetry) images were preferred. Correlations with judgments of saliency were present but generally low, and for landscapes the salience of symmetry was negatively related to preference. However, even within the category where symmetry was not liked (landscapes), the separate analysis of original and modified stimuli showed an interesting pattern: Salience of symmetry was correlated positively (artificial) or negatively (original) with preference, suggesting different effects of symmetry within the same class of stimuli based on context and categorization.
Bertamini et al. (2019) Symmetry preference in shapes, faces, flowers and landscapes. PeerJ 7:e7078 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7078
Identification and characterization of Gypsophila paniculata color morphs in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI, USA
Background Gypsophila paniculata (baby’s breath) is an invasive species found throughout much of the northwest United States and western Canada. Recently, plants exhibiting a different color morphology were identified within the coastal dunes along eastern Lake Michigan. The common baby’s breath (G. paniculata) typically produces stems that are purple in color (purple morph), while the atypical morph has stems that are green-yellow (green-yellow morph). The purpose of this study was to characterize these newly identified morphs and determine if they are genetically distinct species from the common baby’s breath in order to assess whether alternative management strategies should be employed to control these populations. Methods We sequenced two chloroplast regions, ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL), and maturase K (matK), and one nuclear region, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), from the purple morphs and green-yellow morphs collected from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI, USA (SBDNL). Sequences were aligned to reference sequences from other Gypsophila species obtained from the Barcode of Life Database and GenBank databases. We also collected seeds from wild purple morph and wild green-yellow morph plants in SBDNL. We grew the seeds in a common garden setting and characterized the proportion of green-yellow individuals produced from the two color morphs after 5-months of growth. Results Phylogenetic analyses based upon rbcL, matK, and ITS2 regions suggest that the two color morphs are not distinct species and they both belong to G. paniculata. Seeds collected from wild green-yellow morphs produced a significantly higher proportion of green-yellow individuals compared to the number produced by seeds collected from wild purple morphs. However, seeds collected from both color morphs produced more purple morphs than green-yellow morphs. Discussion Based upon these results, we propose that the two color morphs are variants of G. paniculata. Given the significant difference in the number of green-yellow morphs produced from the seeds of each morph type, we also suggest that this color difference has some genetic basis. We propose that current management continue to treat the two color morphs in a similar manner in terms of removal to prevent the further spread of this species.
Yang et al. (2019) Identification and characterization of Gypsophila paniculata color morphs in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI, USA. PeerJ 7:e7100 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7100
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteome analysis reveals metabolic changes between a cleistogamous wheat mutant and its wild-type wheat counterpart
Background Wheat is one of the most important staple crops worldwide. Fusarium head blight (FHB) severely affects wheat yield and quality. A novel bread wheat mutant, ZK001, characterized as cleistogamic was isolated from a non-cleistogamous variety Yumai 18 (YM18) through static magnetic field mutagenesis. Cleistogamy is a promising strategy for controlling FHB. However, little is known about the mechanism of cleistogamy in wheat. Methods We performed a FHB resistance test to identify the FHB infection rate of ZK001. We also measured the agronomic traits of ZK001 and the starch and total soluble sugar contents of lodicules in YM18 and ZK001. Finally, we performed comparative studies at the proteome level between YM18 and ZK001 based on the proteomic technique of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification. Results The infection rate of ZK001 was lower than that of its wild-type and Aikang 58. The abnormal lodicules of ZK001 lost the ability to push the lemma and palea apart during the flowering stage. Proteome analysis showed that the main differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were related to carbohydrate metabolism, protein transport, and calcium ion binding. These DAPs may work together to regulate cellular homeostasis, osmotic pressure and the development of lodicules. This hypothesis is supported by the analysis of starch, soluble sugar content in the lodicules as well as the results of Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions Proteomic analysis has provided comprehensive information that should be useful for further research on the lodicule development mechanism in wheat. The ZK001 mutant is optimal for studying flower development in wheat and could be very important for FHB resistant projects via conventional crossing.
Tang et al. (2019) iTRAQ-based quantitative proteome analysis reveals metabolic changes between a cleistogamous wheat mutant and its wild-type wheat counterpart. PeerJ 7:e7104 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7104
Characterization of bidirectional gene pairs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset
The “bidirectional gene pair” indicates a particular head-to-head gene organization in which transcription start sites of two genes are located on opposite strands of genomic DNA within a region of one kb. Despite bidirectional gene pairs are well characterized, little is known about their expression profiles and regulation features in tumorigenesis. We used RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset for a systematic analysis of the expression profiles of bidirectional gene pairs in 13 cancer datasets. Gene pairs on the opposite strand with transcription end site distance within one kb or on the same strand with the distance of two genes between 1–10 kb and gene pairs comprising two randomly chosen genes were used as control gene pairs (CG1, CG2, and random). We identified and characterized up-/down-regulated genes by comparing the expression level between tumors and adjacent normal tissues in 13 TCGA datasets. There were no consistently significant difference in the percentage of up-/down-regulated genes between bidirectional and control/random genes in most of TCGA datasets. However, the percentage of bidirectional gene pairs comprising two up- or two down-regulated genes was significantly higher than gene pairs from CG1/2 in 12/11 analyzed TCGA datasets and the random gene pairs in all 13 TCGA datasets. Then we identified the methylation correlated bidirectional genes to explore the regulatory mechanism of bidirectional genes. Like the differentially expressed gene pairs, the bidirectional genes in a pair were significantly prone to be both hypo- or hyper-methylation correlated genes in 12/13 TCGA datasets when comparing to the CG2/random gene pairs despite no significant difference between the percentages of hypo-/hyper-methylation correlated genes in bidirectional and CG2/random genes in most of TCGA datasets. Finally, we explored the correlation between bidirectional genes and patient’s survival, identifying prognostic bidirectional genes and prognostic bidirectional gene pairs in each TCGA dataset. Remarkably, we found a group of prognostic bidirectional gene pairs in which the combination of two protein coding genes with different expression level correlated with different survival prognosis in survival analysis for OS. The percentage of these gene pairs in bidirectional gene pair were significantly higher than the gene pairs in controls in COAD datasets and lower in none of 13 TCGA datasets.
Tu et al. (2019) Characterization of bidirectional gene pairs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. PeerJ 7:e7107 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7107
Worldwide scientific productions with immunotherapy of sepsis: a bibliometric analysis
Background Sepsis represents a significant healthcare problem worldwide and causes a high number of deaths every year but remains to be fully understood. During and after sepsis, the host immune response is complex and involves an initial excessive host inflammatory response to infection that is closely related to tissue damage and leads to organ failure. Over the past three decades, immunotherapy for sepsis has vastly improved, but in this area, the most influential articles, journals, authors, and countries have not yet been completely summarized and analyzed. Objective Performed a bibliometric analysis on all the articles concerning immunotherapy for sepsis from 1962 to 2019 was our objective, and we also explored the potential correlations between publications of different countries and their gross domestic product (GDP). Methods All articles about immunotherapy for sepsis were extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed. We also retrieved GDP data from all the countries that have published information from the World Bank. Results In summary, we have retrieved 1,483 related articles from the Scopus database starting from the first publication on immunotherapy for sepsis in 1962 through March 16, 2019. Over the past decade, the number of the articles published has increased year by year to reach 866 in total, which accounts for about 58% of all publications, with 2017 being the most prolific year when 179 articles were published. The US published 604 articles (41%), followed by China (n = 163, 11%), and Germany (n = 158, 11%). In terms of publishing media, the journal that published the highest number of the articles was Journal of Critical Care Medicine with 65 articles (4%), followed by Shock with 55 articles (4%), and Critical Care with 35 articles (2%). There was a strong correlation between the GDP of the different countries and their publication numbers (r = 0.811, P < 0.001). Conclusions Our present study analyzed all types of articles concerning immunotherapy for sepsis over the past 57 years and countries with high GDP tends to make more contributions to the medical field of this field. In the meantime, these studies highlight the importance of immunotherapy in the treatment of sepsis patients. The recognition of the historical status and development trend of this field can promote inter-agency cooperation, guide future research, and ultimately provide the basis for clinical practice guidelines.
Wan et al. (2019) Worldwide scientific productions with immunotherapy of sepsis: a bibliometric analysis. PeerJ 7:e7116 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7116