PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Temperament and character profiles of medical students associated with tolerance of ambiguity and perfectionism
items: Capsazepine prolongation of the duration of lidocaine block of sensory transmission in mice may be mediated by modulation of HCN channel currents
items: Soil respiration and its Q10 response to various grazing systems of a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, China
items: Effect of heat-killed Streptococcus thermophilus on type 2 diabetes rats
items: Dynamics of soil properties and fungal community structure in continuous-cropped alfalfa fields in Northeast China
items: Development of the cephalopod-specific universal primer set and its application for the metabarcoding analysis of planktonic cephalopods in Korean waters
items: Extraction of polysaccharides from Amaranthus hybridus L. by hot water and analysis of their antioxidant activity
items: Age at menarche and depression: results from the NHANES 2005–2016
items: Investigation of the protein profile of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae reared on a well-calibrated artificial diet compared to mulberry leaf diet
items: Analysis of microbiota in elderly patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Temperament and character profiles of medical students associated with tolerance of ambiguity and perfectionism
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Certain personal attributes, such as perfectionism and tolerance of ambiguity, have been identified as influential in high achieving students. Medical students have been identified as high achievers and perfectionistic, and as such may be challenged by ambiguity. Medical students undertake a long and challenging degree. Personality has been shown to influence the well-being and coping and may equip some students to better cope with challenges. This paper examines the association between temperament and character personality profiles with measures of tolerance of ambiguity and with both adaptive and maladaptive constructs of perfectionism. Methods A self-report questionnaire collected data on a sample of 808 Australian medical students in 2014 and 2015. Personality was measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR-140) and classified traits as profiles using a latent class analysis. Two profiles were found. Profile 1 was characterized by low-average levels of Harm Avoidance, and high to very high levels of Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. Moderately-high levels of Harm Avoidance and high levels of Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness characterized Profile 2. Moderation regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the personality profiles with levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity (MSAT-II), Perfectionism-Concern over Mistakes and Perfectionism-High Standards (FMPS), considering demographic characteristics. Results Students with Profile 1 were higher in levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity, and Perfectionism-High Standards, and lower levels of Perfectionism-Concern over Mistakes compared to Profile 2. These findings remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and gender. A significant personality by age interaction on Tolerance of Ambiguity was found. While higher levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity were associated with older age overall, it remained low across age for students with…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Janni Leung
creator: C. Robert Cloninger
creator: Barry A. Hong
creator: Kevin M. Cloninger
creator: Diann S. Eley
subject: Evidence Based Medicine
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7109
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Leung et al.
abstract: Background Certain personal attributes, such as perfectionism and tolerance of ambiguity, have been identified as influential in high achieving students. Medical students have been identified as high achievers and perfectionistic, and as such may be challenged by ambiguity. Medical students undertake a long and challenging degree. Personality has been shown to influence the well-being and coping and may equip some students to better cope with challenges. This paper examines the association between temperament and character personality profiles with measures of tolerance of ambiguity and with both adaptive and maladaptive constructs of perfectionism. Methods A self-report questionnaire collected data on a sample of 808 Australian medical students in 2014 and 2015. Personality was measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR-140) and classified traits as profiles using a latent class analysis. Two profiles were found. Profile 1 was characterized by low-average levels of Harm Avoidance, and high to very high levels of Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. Moderately-high levels of Harm Avoidance and high levels of Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness characterized Profile 2. Moderation regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the personality profiles with levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity (MSAT-II), Perfectionism-Concern over Mistakes and Perfectionism-High Standards (FMPS), considering demographic characteristics. Results Students with Profile 1 were higher in levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity, and Perfectionism-High Standards, and lower levels of Perfectionism-Concern over Mistakes compared to Profile 2. These findings remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and gender. A significant personality by age interaction on Tolerance of Ambiguity was found. While higher levels of Tolerance of Ambiguity were associated with older age overall, it remained low across age for students with…
bibliographic citation: Leung et al. (2019) Temperament and character profiles of medical students associated with tolerance of ambiguity and perfectionism. PeerJ 7:e7109 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7109
date submitted: 2019-01-30
date accepted: 2019-05-09
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Leung
  given name: Janni
author list: Agent
  family name: Cloninger
  given name: C. Robert
author list: Agent
  family name: Hong
  given name: Barry A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cloninger
  given name: Kevin M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Eley
  given name: Diann S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7109
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: ©2019 Leung et al.
attribution name: Leung et al.

Capsazepine prolongation of the duration of lidocaine block of sensory transmission in mice may be mediated by modulation of HCN channel currents
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background and objectives Hyperpolarization-activation cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels contribute to the effects of lidocaine. Capsazepine (CPZ), a competitive inhibitor of capsaicin of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel, has also been found to inhibit HCN channel currents (Ih). This study was designed to investigate whether CPZ could prolong durations of lidocaine in regional anesthesia. Methods Mouse HCN1 and HCN2 channels were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. The effect of CPZ on Ih was measured by whole-cell patch-clamping recording. Sciatic nerve block model in mice was used for the study in vivo. The mice were randomly divided into seven groups, respectively, receiving lidocaine, CPZ, ZD7288 (HCN channel blocker), CPZ + lidocaine, ZD7288 + lidocaine, ZD7288 + CPZ + lidocaine, forskolin (an activator of adenylyl cyclase) + CPZ + lidocaine. Regional anesthetic durations of lidocaine were determined. Voltage-gated sodium channel currents (INa) and Ih were recorded in dorsal root ganglion neurons of mice. The effects of CPZ on INa and Ih with or without Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were assessed. Isolated mice sciatic nerve was prepared to evaluate the effect of CPZ on the compound action potentials (CAP). Results Capsazepine non-selectively inhibited transfected mHCN1 and mHCN2 channel currents in HEK 293 cells. In sciatic nerve block in vivo, compared to lidocaine alone, adding CPZ extended the durations of lidocaine for noxious sensory block (35.1 ± 3.3 vs. 20.3 ± 1.7 min), tactile sensory block (25.5 ± 4.4 vs. 20.0 ± 3.7 min), thermal sensory block (39.6 ± 6.6 vs. 26.8 ± 5.5 min), and motor function block (28.6 ± 4.1 vs. 20.9 ± 4.2 min). Duration of thermal sensory block was longer in CPZ + lidocaine group than that of ZD7288 + lidocaine group (39.6 ± 6.6 vs. 33.4 ± 4.5 min). Forskolin reversed the prolongation by CPZ on lidocaine durations. CPZ or ZD7288 alone did not produce typical regional anesthetic ef…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Wenling Zhao
creator: Peng Liang
creator: Jin Liu
creator: Huan Li
creator: Daqing Liao
creator: Xiangdong Chen
creator: Qian Li
creator: Cheng Zhou
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7111
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Zhao et al.
abstract: Background and objectives Hyperpolarization-activation cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels contribute to the effects of lidocaine. Capsazepine (CPZ), a competitive inhibitor of capsaicin of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel, has also been found to inhibit HCN channel currents (Ih). This study was designed to investigate whether CPZ could prolong durations of lidocaine in regional anesthesia. Methods Mouse HCN1 and HCN2 channels were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. The effect of CPZ on Ih was measured by whole-cell patch-clamping recording. Sciatic nerve block model in mice was used for the study in vivo. The mice were randomly divided into seven groups, respectively, receiving lidocaine, CPZ, ZD7288 (HCN channel blocker), CPZ + lidocaine, ZD7288 + lidocaine, ZD7288 + CPZ + lidocaine, forskolin (an activator of adenylyl cyclase) + CPZ + lidocaine. Regional anesthetic durations of lidocaine were determined. Voltage-gated sodium channel currents (INa) and Ih were recorded in dorsal root ganglion neurons of mice. The effects of CPZ on INa and Ih with or without Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were assessed. Isolated mice sciatic nerve was prepared to evaluate the effect of CPZ on the compound action potentials (CAP). Results Capsazepine non-selectively inhibited transfected mHCN1 and mHCN2 channel currents in HEK 293 cells. In sciatic nerve block in vivo, compared to lidocaine alone, adding CPZ extended the durations of lidocaine for noxious sensory block (35.1 ± 3.3 vs. 20.3 ± 1.7 min), tactile sensory block (25.5 ± 4.4 vs. 20.0 ± 3.7 min), thermal sensory block (39.6 ± 6.6 vs. 26.8 ± 5.5 min), and motor function block (28.6 ± 4.1 vs. 20.9 ± 4.2 min). Duration of thermal sensory block was longer in CPZ + lidocaine group than that of ZD7288 + lidocaine group (39.6 ± 6.6 vs. 33.4 ± 4.5 min). Forskolin reversed the prolongation by CPZ on lidocaine durations. CPZ or ZD7288 alone did not produce typical regional anesthetic ef…
bibliographic citation: Zhao et al. (2019) Capsazepine prolongation of the duration of lidocaine block of sensory transmission in mice may be mediated by modulation of HCN channel currents. PeerJ 7:e7111 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7111
date submitted: 2018-10-25
date accepted: 2019-05-09
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Wenling
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Jin
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Huan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liao
  given name: Daqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiangdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Qian
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Cheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7111
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Zhao et al.
attribution name: Zhao et al.

Soil respiration and its Q10 response to various grazing systems of a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background As one of the important management practices of grassland ecosystems, grazing has fundamental effects on soil properties, vegetation, and soil microbes. Grazing can thus alter soil respiration (Rs) and the soil carbon cycle, yet its impacts and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods To explore the response of soil carbon flux and temperature sensitivity to different grazing systems, Rs, soil temperature (ST), and soil moisture (SM) were observed from December 2014 to September 2015 in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia under three grazing systems: year-long grazing, rest-rotation grazing, and grazing exclusion. In addition, plant aboveground and root biomass, soil microbial biomass and community composition, and soil nutrients were measured during the pilot period. Results Soil respiration was significantly different among the three grazing systems. The average Rs was highest under rest-rotation grazing (1.26 μmol·m−2·s−1), followed by grazing exclusion (0.98 μmol·m−2·s−1) and year-long grazing (0.94 μmol·m−2·s−1). Rs was closely associated with ST, SM, potential substrate and root, and soil microbe activity. The effects of grazing among two grazing systems had generality, but were different due to grazing intensity. The root biomass was stimulated by grazing, and the rest-rotation grazing system resulted in the highest Rs. Grazing led to decreases in aboveground and microbial biomass as well as the loss of soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus from the steppe ecosystem, which explained the negative effect of grazing on Rs in the year-long grazing system compared to the grazing exclusion system. The temperature sensitivity of Rs (Q10) was higher in the rest-rotation and year-long grazing systems, likely due to the higher temperature sensitivity of rhizosphere respiration and higher “rhizosphere priming effect” in the promoted root biomass. The structural equation model analysis showed that while grazing inhibited Rs by reducing soil aeration porosity, grou…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cheng Nie
creator: Yue Li
creator: Lei Niu
creator: Yinghui Liu
creator: Rui Shao
creator: Xia Xu
creator: Yuqiang Tian
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7112
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Nie et al.
abstract: Background As one of the important management practices of grassland ecosystems, grazing has fundamental effects on soil properties, vegetation, and soil microbes. Grazing can thus alter soil respiration (Rs) and the soil carbon cycle, yet its impacts and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods To explore the response of soil carbon flux and temperature sensitivity to different grazing systems, Rs, soil temperature (ST), and soil moisture (SM) were observed from December 2014 to September 2015 in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia under three grazing systems: year-long grazing, rest-rotation grazing, and grazing exclusion. In addition, plant aboveground and root biomass, soil microbial biomass and community composition, and soil nutrients were measured during the pilot period. Results Soil respiration was significantly different among the three grazing systems. The average Rs was highest under rest-rotation grazing (1.26 μmol·m−2·s−1), followed by grazing exclusion (0.98 μmol·m−2·s−1) and year-long grazing (0.94 μmol·m−2·s−1). Rs was closely associated with ST, SM, potential substrate and root, and soil microbe activity. The effects of grazing among two grazing systems had generality, but were different due to grazing intensity. The root biomass was stimulated by grazing, and the rest-rotation grazing system resulted in the highest Rs. Grazing led to decreases in aboveground and microbial biomass as well as the loss of soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus from the steppe ecosystem, which explained the negative effect of grazing on Rs in the year-long grazing system compared to the grazing exclusion system. The temperature sensitivity of Rs (Q10) was higher in the rest-rotation and year-long grazing systems, likely due to the higher temperature sensitivity of rhizosphere respiration and higher “rhizosphere priming effect” in the promoted root biomass. The structural equation model analysis showed that while grazing inhibited Rs by reducing soil aeration porosity, grou…
bibliographic citation: Nie et al. (2019) Soil respiration and its Q10 response to various grazing systems of a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. PeerJ 7:e7112 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7112
date submitted: 2018-10-31
date accepted: 2019-05-09
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Nie
  given name: Cheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Yue
author list: Agent
  family name: Niu
  given name: Lei
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yinghui
author list: Agent
  family name: Shao
  given name: Rui
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Xia
author list: Agent
  family name: Tian
  given name: Yuqiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7112
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Nie et al.
attribution name: Nie et al.

Effect of heat-killed Streptococcus thermophilus on type 2 diabetes rats
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background and Aims The link between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been addressed by numerous studies. Streptococcus thermophilus from fermented milk products, has been used as a probiotic in previous research. However, whether heat-killed S. thermophilus can improve the glycemic parameters of diabetic rats remains unanswered. In this study, we evaluated the effect of heat-killed S. thermophilus on T2D model rats and the potential mechanisms of the effect. Methods Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used to generate a diabetic rat model induced by feeding a high-fat diet. Heat-killed S. thermophilus were orally administered to normal and diabetic rats for 12 weeks. Intestinal microbiota analysis, histology analysis, oral glucose tolerance test and measurement of inflammatory factors were performed. Results We found that heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment reduced fasting blood glucose levels and alleviated glucose intolerance and total cholesterol in diabetic ZDF rats. Additionally, heat-killed S. thermophilus increased the interleukin 10 while reducing the levels of lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in diabetic ZDF rats. The heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment can normalize the structure of the intestinal and colon mucosal layer of diabetic rats. The characteristics of the gut microbiota in heat-killed S. thermophilus-treated and control rats were similar. At the genus level, the abundances of beneficial bacteria, including Ruminococcaceae, Veillonella, Coprococcus, and Bamesiella, were all significantly elevated by heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment in ZDF diabetic rats. Conclusion Our study supports the hypothesis that treatment with heat-killed S. thermophilus could effectively improve glycemic parameters in T2D model rats. In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the protection maybe include changing the composition of gut microbiota, reinforcing the intestinal epithelial barrier and the immunity of t…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiangyang Gao
creator: Fei Wang
creator: Peng Zhao
creator: Rong Zhang
creator: Qiang Zeng
subject: Microbiology
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7117
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Gao et al.
abstract: Background and Aims The link between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been addressed by numerous studies. Streptococcus thermophilus from fermented milk products, has been used as a probiotic in previous research. However, whether heat-killed S. thermophilus can improve the glycemic parameters of diabetic rats remains unanswered. In this study, we evaluated the effect of heat-killed S. thermophilus on T2D model rats and the potential mechanisms of the effect. Methods Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used to generate a diabetic rat model induced by feeding a high-fat diet. Heat-killed S. thermophilus were orally administered to normal and diabetic rats for 12 weeks. Intestinal microbiota analysis, histology analysis, oral glucose tolerance test and measurement of inflammatory factors were performed. Results We found that heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment reduced fasting blood glucose levels and alleviated glucose intolerance and total cholesterol in diabetic ZDF rats. Additionally, heat-killed S. thermophilus increased the interleukin 10 while reducing the levels of lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in diabetic ZDF rats. The heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment can normalize the structure of the intestinal and colon mucosal layer of diabetic rats. The characteristics of the gut microbiota in heat-killed S. thermophilus-treated and control rats were similar. At the genus level, the abundances of beneficial bacteria, including Ruminococcaceae, Veillonella, Coprococcus, and Bamesiella, were all significantly elevated by heat-killed S. thermophilus treatment in ZDF diabetic rats. Conclusion Our study supports the hypothesis that treatment with heat-killed S. thermophilus could effectively improve glycemic parameters in T2D model rats. In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the protection maybe include changing the composition of gut microbiota, reinforcing the intestinal epithelial barrier and the immunity of t…
bibliographic citation: Gao et al. (2019) Effect of heat-killed Streptococcus thermophilus on type 2 diabetes rats. PeerJ 7:e7117 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7117
date submitted: 2019-02-04
date accepted: 2019-05-10
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Xiangyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Rong
author list: Agent
  family name: Zeng
  given name: Qiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7117
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Gao et al.
attribution name: Gao et al.

Dynamics of soil properties and fungal community structure in continuous-cropped alfalfa fields in Northeast China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: To compensate for the seasonal imbalance between livestock and forage yield in the cold region of Northeast China, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) continuous cropping has been widely employed in animal husbandry. However, the effects of continuous cropping of alfalfa on soil properties, including physical, chemical and biological properties, are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the soil properties and fungal community composition of alfalfa fields under continuous cropping for different time periods (i.e., 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 13 and 35 years). The results showed that soil moisture, total C, total N, NO3−-N and available K content decreased at less than 10 years of continuous cropping and then increased at more than 10 years of continuous cropping, but soil total P and available P content showed the opposite tendency. The soil fungal community composition determined using Illumina Miseq sequencing showed that continuous cropping increased the fungal alpha diversity and changed the fungal community structure. The relative abundances of Guehomyces and Chaetomium decreased, but the relative abundances of Phaeomycocentrospora and Paecilomyces increased with continuous cropping time. In addition, continuous cropping of alfalfa increased the relative abundances of some plant pathogens, such as Haematonectria haematococca and Cyphellophora sp. Soil total P and available P content were important soil factors affecting the soil fungal community diversity, fungal community structure and the relative abundances of specific fungi in this alfalfa continuous cropping system.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qin Yao
creator: Yanxia Xu
creator: Xuefeng Liu
creator: Junjie Liu
creator: Xinyu Huang
creator: Weiguang Yang
creator: Zhao Yang
creator: Lan Lan
creator: Jingming Zhou
creator: Guanghua Wang
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7127
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Yao et al.
abstract: To compensate for the seasonal imbalance between livestock and forage yield in the cold region of Northeast China, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) continuous cropping has been widely employed in animal husbandry. However, the effects of continuous cropping of alfalfa on soil properties, including physical, chemical and biological properties, are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the soil properties and fungal community composition of alfalfa fields under continuous cropping for different time periods (i.e., 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 13 and 35 years). The results showed that soil moisture, total C, total N, NO3−-N and available K content decreased at less than 10 years of continuous cropping and then increased at more than 10 years of continuous cropping, but soil total P and available P content showed the opposite tendency. The soil fungal community composition determined using Illumina Miseq sequencing showed that continuous cropping increased the fungal alpha diversity and changed the fungal community structure. The relative abundances of Guehomyces and Chaetomium decreased, but the relative abundances of Phaeomycocentrospora and Paecilomyces increased with continuous cropping time. In addition, continuous cropping of alfalfa increased the relative abundances of some plant pathogens, such as Haematonectria haematococca and Cyphellophora sp. Soil total P and available P content were important soil factors affecting the soil fungal community diversity, fungal community structure and the relative abundances of specific fungi in this alfalfa continuous cropping system.
bibliographic citation: Yao et al. (2019) Dynamics of soil properties and fungal community structure in continuous-cropped alfalfa fields in Northeast China. PeerJ 7:e7127 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7127
date submitted: 2019-01-09
date accepted: 2019-05-14
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yao
  given name: Qin
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yanxia
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Xuefeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Junjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Xinyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Weiguang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Zhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Lan
  given name: Lan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Jingming
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Guanghua
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7127
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Yao et al.
attribution name: Yao et al.

Development of the cephalopod-specific universal primer set and its application for the metabarcoding analysis of planktonic cephalopods in Korean waters
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Although spatiotemporal analysis of the cephalopod larvae provides the useful information for the effective management of their resources, it has been difficult mainly due to their low numbers in the mixed zooplankton net samples and difficulty in morphological identification. In order to analyze the planktonic cephalopods using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we have designed a cephalopod-specific universal (CPD) primer set targeting a region covering mitochondrial cytochrome b and ND6 genes based on the currently identified 36 complete cephalopod mitochondrial genome sequences in the GenBank database. The expected amplicon sizes by CPD primers were between 465 and 471 bp, which was applicable to the MiSeq system (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). NGS results of pooled DNAs from 8 months (including 739 zooplankton net samples) collected from Korean waters in 2016 showed the exclusive cephalopod sequences with little contaminant sequences supporting the specificity of CPD primer set. Total 47 representative cephalopod haplotypes (seven families and 10 genera) were obtained from 1,439,414 merged reads. Among the total analyzed haplotypes, Watasenia scintillans, Todarodes pacificus, and Sepiola birostrata were the most abundant species in Korean waters. Two “unidentified” clades in order Oegopsida were identified, which was showed less than 90% sequence identity but closely related to Enoploteuthidae and Idiosepiidae, respectively. Monthly changes in proportions of each haplotype were also identified, which may reflect its reproduction and spawning period. The larvae of W. scintillans was dominant from February to June, while high proportions of other cephalopod taxa were also identified from August to November. Only single haplotype was dominant in W. scintillans (Type 2) throughout the year, while two distinct haplotypes showed seasonal differences in T. pacificus.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Eun-Bi Kim
creator: Soo Rin Lee
creator: Chung Il Lee
creator: Hyun Park
creator: Hyun-Woo Kim
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7140
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Kim et al.
abstract: Although spatiotemporal analysis of the cephalopod larvae provides the useful information for the effective management of their resources, it has been difficult mainly due to their low numbers in the mixed zooplankton net samples and difficulty in morphological identification. In order to analyze the planktonic cephalopods using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we have designed a cephalopod-specific universal (CPD) primer set targeting a region covering mitochondrial cytochrome b and ND6 genes based on the currently identified 36 complete cephalopod mitochondrial genome sequences in the GenBank database. The expected amplicon sizes by CPD primers were between 465 and 471 bp, which was applicable to the MiSeq system (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). NGS results of pooled DNAs from 8 months (including 739 zooplankton net samples) collected from Korean waters in 2016 showed the exclusive cephalopod sequences with little contaminant sequences supporting the specificity of CPD primer set. Total 47 representative cephalopod haplotypes (seven families and 10 genera) were obtained from 1,439,414 merged reads. Among the total analyzed haplotypes, Watasenia scintillans, Todarodes pacificus, and Sepiola birostrata were the most abundant species in Korean waters. Two “unidentified” clades in order Oegopsida were identified, which was showed less than 90% sequence identity but closely related to Enoploteuthidae and Idiosepiidae, respectively. Monthly changes in proportions of each haplotype were also identified, which may reflect its reproduction and spawning period. The larvae of W. scintillans was dominant from February to June, while high proportions of other cephalopod taxa were also identified from August to November. Only single haplotype was dominant in W. scintillans (Type 2) throughout the year, while two distinct haplotypes showed seasonal differences in T. pacificus.
bibliographic citation: Kim et al. (2019) Development of the cephalopod-specific universal primer set and its application for the metabarcoding analysis of planktonic cephalopods in Korean waters. PeerJ 7:e7140 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7140
date submitted: 2019-02-14
date accepted: 2019-05-16
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kim
  given name: Eun-Bi
author list: Agent
  family name: Lee
  given name: Soo Rin
author list: Agent
  family name: Lee
  given name: Chung Il
author list: Agent
  family name: Park
  given name: Hyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Kim
  given name: Hyun-Woo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7140
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Kim et al.
attribution name: Kim et al.

Extraction of polysaccharides from Amaranthus hybridus L. by hot water and analysis of their antioxidant activity
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Amaranthus hybridus L. is an annual herb that belongs to the Amaranthceae family, a type of multi-purpose grain, vegetable and feed crop that has received considerable attention due to its great economic value. However, the composition of polysaccharides from A. hybridus has rarely been previously reported. Methods In this study, the aboveground part of A. hybridus was used as material and polysaccharides were isolated by the hot water extraction method. Two acidic polysaccharides were isolated and purified by the Sevage method and diethylaminoethyl cellulose-32 column chromatography. Results Two acidic polysaccharides were obtained from A. hybridus: AHP-H-1 and AHP-H-2. There were significant differences between the monosaccharide content from each sample according to gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. AHP-H-2 had higher antioxidant activity in vitro than AHP-H-1. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging rate of two mg/mL AHP-H-2 was 80%, its hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was approximately 48.5%, its superoxide anion radical scavenging rate was 85.3% and its reduction ability of Fe3+ was approximately 0.92. The total antioxidant capacity of each milligram of AHP-H-2 was 6.5, which was higher than ascorbic acid. Conclusion The results of the study promote the effective use of A. hybridus and provide a theoretical basis for its development.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yujia Tang
creator: Yirong Xiao
creator: Zizhong Tang
creator: Weiqiong Jin
creator: Yinsheng Wang
creator: Hui Chen
creator: Huipeng Yao
creator: Zhi Shan
creator: Tongliang Bu
creator: Xiaoli Wang
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7149
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Tang et al.
abstract: Background Amaranthus hybridus L. is an annual herb that belongs to the Amaranthceae family, a type of multi-purpose grain, vegetable and feed crop that has received considerable attention due to its great economic value. However, the composition of polysaccharides from A. hybridus has rarely been previously reported. Methods In this study, the aboveground part of A. hybridus was used as material and polysaccharides were isolated by the hot water extraction method. Two acidic polysaccharides were isolated and purified by the Sevage method and diethylaminoethyl cellulose-32 column chromatography. Results Two acidic polysaccharides were obtained from A. hybridus: AHP-H-1 and AHP-H-2. There were significant differences between the monosaccharide content from each sample according to gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. AHP-H-2 had higher antioxidant activity in vitro than AHP-H-1. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging rate of two mg/mL AHP-H-2 was 80%, its hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was approximately 48.5%, its superoxide anion radical scavenging rate was 85.3% and its reduction ability of Fe3+ was approximately 0.92. The total antioxidant capacity of each milligram of AHP-H-2 was 6.5, which was higher than ascorbic acid. Conclusion The results of the study promote the effective use of A. hybridus and provide a theoretical basis for its development.
bibliographic citation: Tang et al. (2019) Extraction of polysaccharides from Amaranthus hybridus L. by hot water and analysis of their antioxidant activity. PeerJ 7:e7149 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7149
date submitted: 2019-01-17
date accepted: 2019-05-17
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Yujia
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiao
  given name: Yirong
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Zizhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Jin
  given name: Weiqiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yinsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Yao
  given name: Huipeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Shan
  given name: Zhi
author list: Agent
  family name: Bu
  given name: Tongliang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiaoli
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7149
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: © 2019 Tang et al.
attribution name: Tang et al.

Age at menarche and depression: results from the NHANES 2005–2016
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective The association between early age at menarche and depression among adolescent girls and adult women has been examined in many studies. However, inconsistent results and limitations such as small sample size, low generalizability, and measurement error exist. We aimed to address these issues to assess the association between age at menarche and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US women aged 18 years and older. Methods We used the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data with a total of 15,674 women aged 18 years and older included in our study. Logistic regression models were used after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Results The crude-adjusted model suggests that women with early age of menarche had 1.36 (95% CI [1.16–1.61]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms compared with the normal menarche group, after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, education, poverty income ratio (PIR) and marital status. In the fully-adjusted model, women with early menarche had 1.25 (95% CI [1.05–1.48]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms, after additionally adjusting for smoking status and body mass index (BMI). However, no significant difference was observed between the normal and late menarche groups. Conclusion Further studies are warranted to determine the causal relationship and mechanisms between early menarche and increased risk of depression.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yun Shen
creator: Deepthi S. Varma
creator: Yi Zheng
creator: Jenny Boc
creator: Hui Hu
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.7150
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Shen et al.
abstract: Objective The association between early age at menarche and depression among adolescent girls and adult women has been examined in many studies. However, inconsistent results and limitations such as small sample size, low generalizability, and measurement error exist. We aimed to address these issues to assess the association between age at menarche and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US women aged 18 years and older. Methods We used the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data with a total of 15,674 women aged 18 years and older included in our study. Logistic regression models were used after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Results The crude-adjusted model suggests that women with early age of menarche had 1.36 (95% CI [1.16–1.61]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms compared with the normal menarche group, after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, education, poverty income ratio (PIR) and marital status. In the fully-adjusted model, women with early menarche had 1.25 (95% CI [1.05–1.48]) times the odds of current depressive symptoms, after additionally adjusting for smoking status and body mass index (BMI). However, no significant difference was observed between the normal and late menarche groups. Conclusion Further studies are warranted to determine the causal relationship and mechanisms between early menarche and increased risk of depression.
bibliographic citation: Shen et al. (2019) Age at menarche and depression: results from the NHANES 2005–2016. PeerJ 7:e7150 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7150
date submitted: 2019-02-12
date accepted: 2019-05-20
issued: 2019-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Yun
author list: Agent
  family name: Varma
  given name: Deepthi S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Boc
  given name: Jenny
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Hui
doi: 10.7717/peerj.7150
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-13
copyright: ©2019 Shen et al.
attribution name: Shen et al.

Investigation of the protein profile of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae reared on a well-calibrated artificial diet compared to mulberry leaf diet
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Silkworm pupae is the main by-product of the sericulture industry with an interesting nutritional profile, especially in terms of proteins. In consideration of its possible use as a food or food ingredient in Western countries, a comparative proteomic experiment has been performed to investigate the differences of the protein profile of male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on an artificial diet. Methods The nutritional profile of lyophilized silkworm pupae in terms of dry matter and ash was evaluated according to the AOAC procedures, the total nitrogen content was determined by a nitrogen analyzer and the silkworm pupae gross energy value was measured using an adiabatic calorimetric bomb. The comparative proteomic analysis was performed on male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on the artificial diet. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and, after a multivariate statistical analysis, the differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Results The comparative proteomic approach highlighted 47 silkworm pupae proteins differentially expressed comparing diet and gender. PCA analysis showed that seven proteins were more effective in discriminating the sex and five were more effective in discriminating the diet type. In spite of the above-mentioned differences in the silkworm pupae protein profile, no strong alteration of the pupa physiological traits have been demonstrated, suggesting a general silkworm pupae flexibility to adapt to a well-balanced artificial diet. Differences in lipid transport and metabolism were found among the experimental groups, that might have a relevant effect on the timing and on hormone secretion. This aspect may also affect silk production, as univoltine strains are the most productive. The proteomic data provided in this work, may offer a contribution in understanding also the influence of gender and farming strategy on the allergen profile of Bombyx …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cristina Lamberti
creator: Francesco Gai
creator: Simona Cirrincione
creator: Marzia Giribaldi
creator: Micol Purrotti
creator: Marcello Manfredi
creator: Emilio Marengo
creator: Benedetto Sicuro
creator: Alessio Saviane
creator: Silvia Cappellozza
creator: Maria Gabriella Giuffrida
creator: Laura Cavallarin
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Entomology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6723
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Lamberti et al.
abstract: Background Silkworm pupae is the main by-product of the sericulture industry with an interesting nutritional profile, especially in terms of proteins. In consideration of its possible use as a food or food ingredient in Western countries, a comparative proteomic experiment has been performed to investigate the differences of the protein profile of male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on an artificial diet. Methods The nutritional profile of lyophilized silkworm pupae in terms of dry matter and ash was evaluated according to the AOAC procedures, the total nitrogen content was determined by a nitrogen analyzer and the silkworm pupae gross energy value was measured using an adiabatic calorimetric bomb. The comparative proteomic analysis was performed on male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on the artificial diet. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and, after a multivariate statistical analysis, the differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Results The comparative proteomic approach highlighted 47 silkworm pupae proteins differentially expressed comparing diet and gender. PCA analysis showed that seven proteins were more effective in discriminating the sex and five were more effective in discriminating the diet type. In spite of the above-mentioned differences in the silkworm pupae protein profile, no strong alteration of the pupa physiological traits have been demonstrated, suggesting a general silkworm pupae flexibility to adapt to a well-balanced artificial diet. Differences in lipid transport and metabolism were found among the experimental groups, that might have a relevant effect on the timing and on hormone secretion. This aspect may also affect silk production, as univoltine strains are the most productive. The proteomic data provided in this work, may offer a contribution in understanding also the influence of gender and farming strategy on the allergen profile of Bombyx …
bibliographic citation: Lamberti et al. (2019) Investigation of the protein profile of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae reared on a well-calibrated artificial diet compared to mulberry leaf diet. PeerJ 7:e6723 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6723
date submitted: 2019-02-01
date accepted: 2019-03-06
issued: 2019-06-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lamberti
  given name: Cristina
author list: Agent
  family name: Gai
  given name: Francesco
author list: Agent
  family name: Cirrincione
  given name: Simona
author list: Agent
  family name: Giribaldi
  given name: Marzia
author list: Agent
  family name: Purrotti
  given name: Micol
author list: Agent
  family name: Manfredi
  given name: Marcello
author list: Agent
  family name: Marengo
  given name: Emilio
author list: Agent
  family name: Sicuro
  given name: Benedetto
author list: Agent
  family name: Saviane
  given name: Alessio
author list: Agent
  family name: Cappellozza
  given name: Silvia
author list: Agent
  family name: Giuffrida
  given name: Maria Gabriella
author list: Agent
  family name: Cavallarin
  given name: Laura
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6723
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-12
copyright: © 2019 Lamberti et al.
attribution name: Lamberti et al.

Analysis of microbiota in elderly patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background and Aims Recent evidence suggest that microbiota is associated with almost all major types of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in Acute Cerebral Infarction remains unexplored. It is important to understand the diversity and distribution of gut microbiota (GM) in patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction and the role that GM plays in this type of disease. Methods We performed pyrosequencing on the gut microbiota of 40 individuals in order to elucidate whether the composition of the microbiota differs between patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction and healthy controls: Of these individuals, there were 31 with Acute Cerebral Infarction and nine controls. We applied linear regression to calculate the correlation between the gut flora and disease risk factors. Finally, KEGG functional enrichment analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between the gut flora and Acute Cerebral Infarction. Results The overall microbial structure was similar in both the controls and the patients, but the control group had higher relative presence of Blautia obeum while the presence of Streptococcus infantis and Prevotella copri were relatively higher in the patient group. Using linear regression, we found that Blautia obeum was negatively associated with white blood cell count and Streptococcus infantis was positively correlated with creatinine and lipoprotein. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the bio-pathways including methane metabolism, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, bacterial secretion, and flagellar assembly of the gut microbiota in the patient group was expressed differently than that of the controls. We identified three differentially expressed gut microbial functions in Acute Cerebral Infarction and found four bacterial pathways that might be related to the development of this disease. Conclusions Our study identified three abnormally-expressed bacteria—Blautia obeum, Streptococcus infantis, and Prevotella copri—in patients wit…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lin Huang
creator: Teng Wang
creator: Qian Wu
creator: Xin Dong
creator: Feifei Shen
creator: Dong Liu
creator: Xiaoxuan Qin
creator: Lanyun Yan
creator: Qi Wan
subject: Microbiology
subject: Cardiology
subject: Clinical Trials
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6928
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2019 Huang et al.
abstract: Background and Aims Recent evidence suggest that microbiota is associated with almost all major types of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in Acute Cerebral Infarction remains unexplored. It is important to understand the diversity and distribution of gut microbiota (GM) in patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction and the role that GM plays in this type of disease. Methods We performed pyrosequencing on the gut microbiota of 40 individuals in order to elucidate whether the composition of the microbiota differs between patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction and healthy controls: Of these individuals, there were 31 with Acute Cerebral Infarction and nine controls. We applied linear regression to calculate the correlation between the gut flora and disease risk factors. Finally, KEGG functional enrichment analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between the gut flora and Acute Cerebral Infarction. Results The overall microbial structure was similar in both the controls and the patients, but the control group had higher relative presence of Blautia obeum while the presence of Streptococcus infantis and Prevotella copri were relatively higher in the patient group. Using linear regression, we found that Blautia obeum was negatively associated with white blood cell count and Streptococcus infantis was positively correlated with creatinine and lipoprotein. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the bio-pathways including methane metabolism, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, bacterial secretion, and flagellar assembly of the gut microbiota in the patient group was expressed differently than that of the controls. We identified three differentially expressed gut microbial functions in Acute Cerebral Infarction and found four bacterial pathways that might be related to the development of this disease. Conclusions Our study identified three abnormally-expressed bacteria—Blautia obeum, Streptococcus infantis, and Prevotella copri—in patients wit…
bibliographic citation: Huang et al. (2019) Analysis of microbiota in elderly patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction. PeerJ 7:e6928 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6928
date submitted: 2018-10-10
date accepted: 2019-04-03
issued: 2019-06-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Lin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Teng
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Qian
author list: Agent
  family name: Dong
  given name: Xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Feifei
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Dong
author list: Agent
  family name: Qin
  given name: Xiaoxuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Yan
  given name: Lanyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Wan
  given name: Qi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6928
volume: 7
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2019-06-12
copyright: ©2019 Huang et al.
attribution name: Huang et al.

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