PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Local persistence of Mann’s soft-haired mouse Abrothrix manni (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) during Quaternary glaciations in southern Chile
items: Elevated CD3low double negative T lymphocyte is associated with pneumonia and its severity in pediatric patients
items: Morphological characterization and staging of bumble bee pupae
items: Nanocontainer designed from an infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) has excellent physical stability and ability to deliver shrimp tissues
items: Effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier function, and the expression of NOD-like receptors in weaned piglets
items: Systematic review and meta-analysis of age-related differences in instructed emotion regulation success
items: Niche modeling for the genus Pogona (Squamata: Agamidae) in Australia: predicting past (late Quaternary) and future (2070) areas of suitable habitat
items: Remains of Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, at Mid-Late Holocene archaeological sites in coastal Oman: clues of past worlds
items: Dogs can be trained to find a bar magnet
items: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles using Rhazya stricta

Local persistence of Mann’s soft-haired mouse Abrothrix manni (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) during Quaternary glaciations in southern Chile
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Quaternary climatic oscillations have impacted Patagonian sigmodontine fauna, leaving traceable genetic footprints. In southern Chile, changes in the landscape included transitions to different vegetation formations as well as the extension of ice sheets. In this study, we focus on the Valdivian forest endemic and recently described sigmodontine species Abrothrix manni. We aim to assess the genetic structure of this species, testing for the existence of intraspecific lineages, and inferring the recent demographic history of the species. Analyses were based on the first 801 bp of the mitochondrial gene Cytocrhome-b from 49 individuals of A. manni collected at 10 localities that covers most part of its geographic distribution. Genealogical analyses recovered two main intraspecific lineages that are geographically segregated and present an intermediate site of secondary contact. Historical demography shows signal of recent population decrease. Based on these results, we proposed that current genetic diversity of A. manni differentiated in at least two distinct refugial areas in southern Chile. This scenario, in addition to be unique among those uncovered for the so far studied Valdivian forest rodents, is noteworthy because of the reduced geographic scale inhabited by the species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lourdes Valdez
creator: Guilermo D’Elía
subject: Biogeography
subject: Genetics
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6130
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Valdez and D’Elía
abstract: Quaternary climatic oscillations have impacted Patagonian sigmodontine fauna, leaving traceable genetic footprints. In southern Chile, changes in the landscape included transitions to different vegetation formations as well as the extension of ice sheets. In this study, we focus on the Valdivian forest endemic and recently described sigmodontine species Abrothrix manni. We aim to assess the genetic structure of this species, testing for the existence of intraspecific lineages, and inferring the recent demographic history of the species. Analyses were based on the first 801 bp of the mitochondrial gene Cytocrhome-b from 49 individuals of A. manni collected at 10 localities that covers most part of its geographic distribution. Genealogical analyses recovered two main intraspecific lineages that are geographically segregated and present an intermediate site of secondary contact. Historical demography shows signal of recent population decrease. Based on these results, we proposed that current genetic diversity of A. manni differentiated in at least two distinct refugial areas in southern Chile. This scenario, in addition to be unique among those uncovered for the so far studied Valdivian forest rodents, is noteworthy because of the reduced geographic scale inhabited by the species.
bibliographic citation: Valdez et al. (2018) Local persistence of Mann’s soft-haired mouse Abrothrix manni (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) during Quaternary glaciations in southern Chile. PeerJ 6:e6130 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6130
date submitted: 2018-09-24
date accepted: 2018-11-17
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Valdez
  given name: Lourdes
author list: Agent
  family name: D’Elía
  given name: Guilermo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6130
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: ©2018 Valdez and D’Elía
attribution name: Valdez and D’Elía

Elevated CD3low double negative T lymphocyte is associated with pneumonia and its severity in pediatric patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Previous studies have shown that the adaptive immunity function of T cells in disease states correlates with CD3 surface expression closely. During routine assessment of TBNK subsets in peripheral blood of pediatric patients by flow cytometry, we noticed that variable expression levels of CD3 on CD3+CD4−CD8− double-negative T (DNT) lymphocytes in different patients. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of CD3 expression levels on DNT cells with disease severity. Methods In this prospective study, we investigated the frequencies of circulating CD4−CD8− DNT cell subsets with CD3low or CD3high phenotype by flow cytometry in 76 pediatric patients with pneumonia, 55 patients with severe pneumonia (SP), and 29 healthy controls (Con). Results The numbers of circulating DNT cells were similar in all groups; however, the frequency of CD3low DNT cell subsets was significantly increased in patients with pneumonia (p < 0.001) and SP (p < 0.001). The elevated CD3low DNT cell frequency showed a positive correlation with the clinical severity of pneumonia. On sub-group analysis, the frequency of CD3low DNT cells was only elevated in children with pneumonia aged <5 years, while no association was observed with the causative pathogen of pneumonia. Conclusions These findings suggest that CD3 expression levels on DNT cell subsets of peripheral lymphocytes may be a valuable biomarker for evaluation of immune response in pediatric infectious disease. CD3low DNT cells were elevated in children with pneumonia aged <5 years, which indicates that it may be an important research target in pediatric infectious diseases.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ying Wang
creator: Wenting Lu
creator: Aipeng Li
creator: Zhengyi Sun
creator: Liying Wang
subject: Immunology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Pediatrics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6114
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Wang et al.
abstract: Background Previous studies have shown that the adaptive immunity function of T cells in disease states correlates with CD3 surface expression closely. During routine assessment of TBNK subsets in peripheral blood of pediatric patients by flow cytometry, we noticed that variable expression levels of CD3 on CD3+CD4−CD8− double-negative T (DNT) lymphocytes in different patients. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of CD3 expression levels on DNT cells with disease severity. Methods In this prospective study, we investigated the frequencies of circulating CD4−CD8− DNT cell subsets with CD3low or CD3high phenotype by flow cytometry in 76 pediatric patients with pneumonia, 55 patients with severe pneumonia (SP), and 29 healthy controls (Con). Results The numbers of circulating DNT cells were similar in all groups; however, the frequency of CD3low DNT cell subsets was significantly increased in patients with pneumonia (p < 0.001) and SP (p < 0.001). The elevated CD3low DNT cell frequency showed a positive correlation with the clinical severity of pneumonia. On sub-group analysis, the frequency of CD3low DNT cells was only elevated in children with pneumonia aged <5 years, while no association was observed with the causative pathogen of pneumonia. Conclusions These findings suggest that CD3 expression levels on DNT cell subsets of peripheral lymphocytes may be a valuable biomarker for evaluation of immune response in pediatric infectious disease. CD3low DNT cells were elevated in children with pneumonia aged <5 years, which indicates that it may be an important research target in pediatric infectious diseases.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2018) Elevated CD3low double negative T lymphocyte is associated with pneumonia and its severity in pediatric patients. PeerJ 6:e6114 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6114
date submitted: 2018-06-25
date accepted: 2018-11-15
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Wenting
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Aipeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Zhengyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Liying
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6114
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: ©2018 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Morphological characterization and staging of bumble bee pupae
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombus) are important pollinators and models for studying mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity, such as factors influencing size, immunity, and social behaviors. Research on such processes, as well as expanding use of gene-manipulation and gene expression technologies, requires a detailed understanding of how these bees develop. Developmental research often uses time-staging of pupae, however dramatic size differences in these bees can generate variation in developmental timing. To study developmental mechanisms in bumble bees, appropriate staging of developing bees using morphology is necessary. In this study, we describe morphological changes across development in several bumble bee species and use this to establish morphology-based staging criteria, establishing 20 distinct illustrated stages. These criteria, defined largely by eye and cuticle pigmentation patterns, are generalizable across members of the subgenus Pyrobombus, and can be used as a framework for study of other bumble bee subgenera. We examine the effects of temperature, caste, size, and species on pupal development, revealing that pupal duration shifts with each of these factors, confirming the importance of staging pupae based on morphology rather than age and the need for standardizing sampling.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Li Tian
creator: Heather M. Hines
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Entomology
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6089
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Tian and Hines
abstract: Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombus) are important pollinators and models for studying mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity, such as factors influencing size, immunity, and social behaviors. Research on such processes, as well as expanding use of gene-manipulation and gene expression technologies, requires a detailed understanding of how these bees develop. Developmental research often uses time-staging of pupae, however dramatic size differences in these bees can generate variation in developmental timing. To study developmental mechanisms in bumble bees, appropriate staging of developing bees using morphology is necessary. In this study, we describe morphological changes across development in several bumble bee species and use this to establish morphology-based staging criteria, establishing 20 distinct illustrated stages. These criteria, defined largely by eye and cuticle pigmentation patterns, are generalizable across members of the subgenus Pyrobombus, and can be used as a framework for study of other bumble bee subgenera. We examine the effects of temperature, caste, size, and species on pupal development, revealing that pupal duration shifts with each of these factors, confirming the importance of staging pupae based on morphology rather than age and the need for standardizing sampling.
bibliographic citation: Tian et al. (2018) Morphological characterization and staging of bumble bee pupae. PeerJ 6:e6089 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6089
date submitted: 2018-10-01
date accepted: 2018-11-08
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tian
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Hines
  given name: Heather M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6089
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: © 2018 Tian and Hines
attribution name: Tian and Hines

Nanocontainer designed from an infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) has excellent physical stability and ability to deliver shrimp tissues
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background A virus-like particle (VLP) is an excellent tool for a compound delivery system due to its simple composition, symmetrical structure and self-assembly. Its surface modification both chemically and genetically is established, leading to the target-specific delivery and improved encapsulation efficiency. However, its physical stabilities against many harsh conditions that guarantee long term storage and oral administration have been much less studied. Methods IHHNV-VLPs were reconstructed from recombinant IHHNV capsid protein in E. coli. Their physical properties against three strong physical conditions including long term storage (0–30 days) in 4 °C, physical stabilities against broad ranged pH (4–9) and against three types of digestive enzymes were tested. Disassembly and reassembly of VLPs for encapsidating an enhanced green fluorescent protein tagged plasmid DNA (EGFP-VLPs) were controlled by the use of reducing agent (DTT) and calcium specific chelating agent (EGTA). Lastly, delivering ability of EGFP-VLPs was performed in vivo by intramuscular injection and traced the expression of GFP in the shrimp tissues 24 hr post-injection. Results Upon its purification, IHHNV-VLPs were able to be kept at 4 °C up to 30 days with only slight degradation. They were very stable in basic condition (pH 8–9) and to a lesser extent in acidic condition (pH 4–6) while they could stand digestions of trypsin and chymotrypsin better than pepsin. As similar with many other non-enveloped viruses, the assembly of IHHNV-VLPs was dependent on both disulfide bridging and calcium ions which allowed us to control disassembly and reassembly of these VLPs to pack EGFP plasmid DNA. IHHNV-VLPs could deliver EGFP plasmids into shrimp muscles and gills as evident by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy demonstrating the expression of GFP in the targeted tissues. Discussion There are extensive data in which capsid proteins of the non-enveloped viruses in the form of VLPs are constructed and used…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pauline Kiatmetha
creator: Charoonroj Chotwiwatthanakun
creator: Pitchanee Jariyapong
creator: Wanida Santimanawong
creator: Puey Ounjai
creator: Wattana Weerachatyanukul
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Virology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6079
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Kiatmetha et al.
abstract: Background A virus-like particle (VLP) is an excellent tool for a compound delivery system due to its simple composition, symmetrical structure and self-assembly. Its surface modification both chemically and genetically is established, leading to the target-specific delivery and improved encapsulation efficiency. However, its physical stabilities against many harsh conditions that guarantee long term storage and oral administration have been much less studied. Methods IHHNV-VLPs were reconstructed from recombinant IHHNV capsid protein in E. coli. Their physical properties against three strong physical conditions including long term storage (0–30 days) in 4 °C, physical stabilities against broad ranged pH (4–9) and against three types of digestive enzymes were tested. Disassembly and reassembly of VLPs for encapsidating an enhanced green fluorescent protein tagged plasmid DNA (EGFP-VLPs) were controlled by the use of reducing agent (DTT) and calcium specific chelating agent (EGTA). Lastly, delivering ability of EGFP-VLPs was performed in vivo by intramuscular injection and traced the expression of GFP in the shrimp tissues 24 hr post-injection. Results Upon its purification, IHHNV-VLPs were able to be kept at 4 °C up to 30 days with only slight degradation. They were very stable in basic condition (pH 8–9) and to a lesser extent in acidic condition (pH 4–6) while they could stand digestions of trypsin and chymotrypsin better than pepsin. As similar with many other non-enveloped viruses, the assembly of IHHNV-VLPs was dependent on both disulfide bridging and calcium ions which allowed us to control disassembly and reassembly of these VLPs to pack EGFP plasmid DNA. IHHNV-VLPs could deliver EGFP plasmids into shrimp muscles and gills as evident by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy demonstrating the expression of GFP in the targeted tissues. Discussion There are extensive data in which capsid proteins of the non-enveloped viruses in the form of VLPs are constructed and used…
bibliographic citation: Kiatmetha et al. (2018) Nanocontainer designed from an infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) has excellent physical stability and ability to deliver shrimp tissues. PeerJ 6:e6079 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6079
date submitted: 2018-07-27
date accepted: 2018-11-06
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kiatmetha
  given name: Pauline
author list: Agent
  family name: Chotwiwatthanakun
  given name: Charoonroj
author list: Agent
  family name: Jariyapong
  given name: Pitchanee
author list: Agent
  family name: Santimanawong
  given name: Wanida
author list: Agent
  family name: Ounjai
  given name: Puey
author list: Agent
  family name: Weerachatyanukul
  given name: Wattana
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6079
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: ©2018 Kiatmetha et al.
attribution name: Kiatmetha et al.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier function, and the expression of NOD-like receptors in weaned piglets
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Lactobacillus supplementation is beneficial to the barrier function of the intestinal physical barrier in piglets. However, the mechanisms underlying this beneficial function remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier functioning, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) expression in weaned piglets. Sixteen weaned piglets were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group received a corn-soybean basal diet, while the treatment group received the same diet adding 0.1% L. acidophilus, for 14 days. As a result, dietary L. acidophilus supplementation was found to increase the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), reduced serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05), increased the mRNA expression and protein abundance of occludin in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01), reduced the mRNA levels of NOD1 (P < 0.01), receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2) (P < 0.05), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (P < 0.01), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) (P < 0.01), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.01) in the jejunum tissues of the weaned pigs. The expression of NLRP3 (P < 0.05), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.05) was also reduced in the ileum tissues of the weaned pigs. These results showed that L. acidophilus supplementation improves the growth performance, enhances the intestinal physical barrier function, and inhibits the expression of NOD1 and NLRP3 signaling-pathway-related genes in jejunum and ileum tissues. They also suggest that L. acidophilus enhances the intestinal physical barrier functioning by inhibiting IL-1β and IL-18 pro-inflammatory cytokines via the NOD1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in weaned piglets.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shiqiong Wang
creator: Haihua Li
creator: Chenhong Du
creator: Qian Liu
creator: Dongji Yang
creator: Longbin Chen
creator: Qi Zhu
creator: Zhixiang Wang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Nutrition
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6060
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Wang et al.
abstract: Lactobacillus supplementation is beneficial to the barrier function of the intestinal physical barrier in piglets. However, the mechanisms underlying this beneficial function remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier functioning, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) expression in weaned piglets. Sixteen weaned piglets were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group received a corn-soybean basal diet, while the treatment group received the same diet adding 0.1% L. acidophilus, for 14 days. As a result, dietary L. acidophilus supplementation was found to increase the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), reduced serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05), increased the mRNA expression and protein abundance of occludin in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01), reduced the mRNA levels of NOD1 (P < 0.01), receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2) (P < 0.05), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (P < 0.01), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) (P < 0.01), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.01) in the jejunum tissues of the weaned pigs. The expression of NLRP3 (P < 0.05), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.05) was also reduced in the ileum tissues of the weaned pigs. These results showed that L. acidophilus supplementation improves the growth performance, enhances the intestinal physical barrier function, and inhibits the expression of NOD1 and NLRP3 signaling-pathway-related genes in jejunum and ileum tissues. They also suggest that L. acidophilus enhances the intestinal physical barrier functioning by inhibiting IL-1β and IL-18 pro-inflammatory cytokines via the NOD1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in weaned piglets.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2018) Effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier function, and the expression of NOD-like receptors in weaned piglets. PeerJ 6:e6060 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6060
date submitted: 2018-07-17
date accepted: 2018-11-04
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Shiqiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Haihua
author list: Agent
  family name: Du
  given name: Chenhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Qian
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Dongji
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Longbin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Qi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zhixiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6060
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: ©2018 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of age-related differences in instructed emotion regulation success
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The process model of emotion regulation (ER) is based on stages in the emotion generative process at which regulation may occur. This meta-analysis examines age-related differences in the subjective, behavioral, and physiological outcomes of instructed ER strategies that may be initiated after an emotional event has occurred; attentional deployment, cognitive change, and response modulation. Within-process strategy, stimulus type, and valence were also tested as potential moderators of the effect of age on ER. A systematic search of the literature identified 156 relevant comparisons from 11 studies. Few age-related differences were found. In our analysis of the subjective outcome of response modulation strategies, young adults used expressive enhancement successfully (g = 0.48), but not expressive suppression (g = 0.04). Response modulation strategies had a small positive effect among older adults, and enhancement vs suppression did not moderate this success (g = 0.31 and g = 0.10, respectively). Young adults effectively used response modulation to regulate subjective emotion in response to pictures (g = 0.41) but not films (g = 0.01). Older adults were able to regulate in response to both pictures (g = 0.26) and films (g = 0.11). Interestingly, both age groups effectively used detached reappraisal, but not positive reappraisal to regulate emotional behavior. We conclude that, in line with well-established theories of socioemotional aging, there is a lack of evidence for age differences in the effects of instructed ER strategies, with some moderators suggesting more consistent effectiveness for older compared to younger adults.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Brooke Brady
creator: Ian I. Kneebone
creator: Nida Denson
creator: Phoebe E. Bailey
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6051
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Brady et al.
abstract: The process model of emotion regulation (ER) is based on stages in the emotion generative process at which regulation may occur. This meta-analysis examines age-related differences in the subjective, behavioral, and physiological outcomes of instructed ER strategies that may be initiated after an emotional event has occurred; attentional deployment, cognitive change, and response modulation. Within-process strategy, stimulus type, and valence were also tested as potential moderators of the effect of age on ER. A systematic search of the literature identified 156 relevant comparisons from 11 studies. Few age-related differences were found. In our analysis of the subjective outcome of response modulation strategies, young adults used expressive enhancement successfully (g = 0.48), but not expressive suppression (g = 0.04). Response modulation strategies had a small positive effect among older adults, and enhancement vs suppression did not moderate this success (g = 0.31 and g = 0.10, respectively). Young adults effectively used response modulation to regulate subjective emotion in response to pictures (g = 0.41) but not films (g = 0.01). Older adults were able to regulate in response to both pictures (g = 0.26) and films (g = 0.11). Interestingly, both age groups effectively used detached reappraisal, but not positive reappraisal to regulate emotional behavior. We conclude that, in line with well-established theories of socioemotional aging, there is a lack of evidence for age differences in the effects of instructed ER strategies, with some moderators suggesting more consistent effectiveness for older compared to younger adults.
bibliographic citation: Brady et al. (2018) Systematic review and meta-analysis of age-related differences in instructed emotion regulation success. PeerJ 6:e6051 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6051
date submitted: 2018-08-22
date accepted: 2018-10-31
issued: 2018-12-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Brady
  given name: Brooke
author list: Agent
  family name: Kneebone
  given name: Ian I.
author list: Agent
  family name: Denson
  given name: Nida
author list: Agent
  family name: Bailey
  given name: Phoebe E.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6051
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-18
copyright: © 2018 Brady et al.
attribution name: Brady et al.

Niche modeling for the genus Pogona (Squamata: Agamidae) in Australia: predicting past (late Quaternary) and future (2070) areas of suitable habitat
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background As the climate warms, many species of reptiles are at risk of habitat loss and ultimately extinction. Locations of suitable habitat in the past, present, and future were modeled for several lizard species using MaxEnt, incorporating climatic variables related to temperature and precipitation. In this study, we predict where there is currently suitable habitat for the genus Pogona and potential shifts in habitat suitability in the past and future. Methods Georeferenced occurrence records were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, climate variables (describing temperature and precipitation) were obtained from WorldClim, and a vegetation index was obtained from AVHRR satellite data. Matching climate variables were downloaded for three different past time periods (mid-Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum, and Last Interglacial) and two different future projections representative concentration pathways (RCPs 2.6 and 8.5). MaxEnt produced accuracy metrics, response curves, and probability surfaces. For each species, parameters were adjusted for the best possible output that was biologically informative. Results Model results predicted that in the past, there was little suitable habitat for P. henrylawsoni and P. microlepidota within the areas of their current range. Past areas of suitable habitat for P. barbata were predicted to be similar to the current prediction. Pogona minor and P. nullarbor were predicted to have had a more expansive range of suitable habitat in the past, which has reduced over time. P. vitticeps was predicted to have less suitable habitat in the past when examining the region of their known occurrence; however, there was predicted growth in suitable habitat in Western Australia. Both 2070 models predict a similar distribution of habitat; however, the model produced using the 2070 RCP 8.5 climate change projection showed a larger change, both in areas of suitable habitat gain and loss. In the future, P. henrylawsoni and P. …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Julie E. Rej
creator: T. Andrew Joyner
subject: Biogeography
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
subject: Climate Change Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6128
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Rej and Joyner
abstract: Background As the climate warms, many species of reptiles are at risk of habitat loss and ultimately extinction. Locations of suitable habitat in the past, present, and future were modeled for several lizard species using MaxEnt, incorporating climatic variables related to temperature and precipitation. In this study, we predict where there is currently suitable habitat for the genus Pogona and potential shifts in habitat suitability in the past and future. Methods Georeferenced occurrence records were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, climate variables (describing temperature and precipitation) were obtained from WorldClim, and a vegetation index was obtained from AVHRR satellite data. Matching climate variables were downloaded for three different past time periods (mid-Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum, and Last Interglacial) and two different future projections representative concentration pathways (RCPs 2.6 and 8.5). MaxEnt produced accuracy metrics, response curves, and probability surfaces. For each species, parameters were adjusted for the best possible output that was biologically informative. Results Model results predicted that in the past, there was little suitable habitat for P. henrylawsoni and P. microlepidota within the areas of their current range. Past areas of suitable habitat for P. barbata were predicted to be similar to the current prediction. Pogona minor and P. nullarbor were predicted to have had a more expansive range of suitable habitat in the past, which has reduced over time. P. vitticeps was predicted to have less suitable habitat in the past when examining the region of their known occurrence; however, there was predicted growth in suitable habitat in Western Australia. Both 2070 models predict a similar distribution of habitat; however, the model produced using the 2070 RCP 8.5 climate change projection showed a larger change, both in areas of suitable habitat gain and loss. In the future, P. henrylawsoni and P. …
bibliographic citation: Rej et al. (2018) Niche modeling for the genus Pogona (Squamata: Agamidae) in Australia: predicting past (late Quaternary) and future (2070) areas of suitable habitat. PeerJ 6:e6128 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6128
date submitted: 2018-03-16
date accepted: 2018-11-16
issued: 2018-12-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rej
  given name: Julie E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Joyner
  given name: T. Andrew
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6128
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-17
copyright: © 2018 Rej and Joyner
attribution name: Rej and Joyner

Remains of Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, at Mid-Late Holocene archaeological sites in coastal Oman: clues of past worlds
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Small, irregular isolated bones identified as remains of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recovered from Mid to Late Holocene sites at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, coastal Oman. These provide the third instance of this animal being documented from any prehistoric site anywhere, and the records provide one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dates for this distinctive chelonian—even though they do not refer to fossils. Decades of research in this region has yielded vast amounts of archeological information, including abundant evidence of intense exploitation and utilization of marine turtles from about 6,500 to 4,000 BP. During part of this period, turtle remains in human burials have been extraordinary; the turtle involved, Chelonia mydas, has been abundant in the region during modern times. Yet despite intense and varied forms of prehistoric marine resource exploitation, and major, long-term archeological work, no other turtle species has been previously authenticated from these, or other coastal sites. The documentation of remains of the largest and most distinctive of living marine turtles, D. coriacea, at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, presented herein, provide detailed information that serves as the basis for future interpretations and discussions regarding incomplete, disarticulated remains from the Mid to Late Holocene, particularly in reference to taphonomic questions and diverse environmental conditions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: John G. Frazier
creator: Valentina Azzarà
creator: Olivia Munoz
creator: Lapo Gianni Marcucci
creator: Emilie Badel
creator: Francesco Genchi
creator: Maurizio Cattani
creator: Maurizio Tosi
creator: Massimo Delfino
subject: Anthropology
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6123
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Frazier et al.
abstract: Small, irregular isolated bones identified as remains of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recovered from Mid to Late Holocene sites at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, coastal Oman. These provide the third instance of this animal being documented from any prehistoric site anywhere, and the records provide one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dates for this distinctive chelonian—even though they do not refer to fossils. Decades of research in this region has yielded vast amounts of archeological information, including abundant evidence of intense exploitation and utilization of marine turtles from about 6,500 to 4,000 BP. During part of this period, turtle remains in human burials have been extraordinary; the turtle involved, Chelonia mydas, has been abundant in the region during modern times. Yet despite intense and varied forms of prehistoric marine resource exploitation, and major, long-term archeological work, no other turtle species has been previously authenticated from these, or other coastal sites. The documentation of remains of the largest and most distinctive of living marine turtles, D. coriacea, at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, presented herein, provide detailed information that serves as the basis for future interpretations and discussions regarding incomplete, disarticulated remains from the Mid to Late Holocene, particularly in reference to taphonomic questions and diverse environmental conditions.
bibliographic citation: Frazier et al. (2018) Remains of Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, at Mid-Late Holocene archaeological sites in coastal Oman: clues of past worlds. PeerJ 6:e6123 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6123
date submitted: 2018-03-29
date accepted: 2018-11-17
issued: 2018-12-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Frazier
  given name: John G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Azzarà
  given name: Valentina
author list: Agent
  family name: Munoz
  given name: Olivia
author list: Agent
  family name: Marcucci
  given name: Lapo Gianni
author list: Agent
  family name: Badel
  given name: Emilie
author list: Agent
  family name: Genchi
  given name: Francesco
author list: Agent
  family name: Cattani
  given name: Maurizio
author list: Agent
  family name: Tosi
  given name: Maurizio
author list: Agent
  family name: Delfino
  given name: Massimo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6123
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-17
copyright: © 2018 Frazier et al.
attribution name: Frazier et al.

Dogs can be trained to find a bar magnet
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Magnetoreception, the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field (MF), is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom. In 1966, the first report on a magnetosensitive vertebrate, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), was published. After that, numerous further species of different taxa have been identified to be magnetosensitive as well. Recently, it has been demonstrated that domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer to align their body axis along the North–South axis during territorial marking under calm MF conditions and that they abandon this preference when the Earth’s MF is unstable. In a further study conducting a directional two-choice-test, dogs showed a spontaneous preference for the northern direction. Being designated as putatively magnetosensitive and being also known as trainable for diverse choice and search tests, dogs seem to be suitable model animals for a direct test of magnetoreception: learning to find a magnet. Using operant conditioning dogs were trained to identify the MF of a bar magnet in a three-alternative forced-choice experiment. We excluded visual cues and used control trials with food treats to test for the role of olfaction in finding the magnet. While 13 out of 16 dogs detected the magnet significantly above chance level (53–73% success rate), none of the dogs managed to do so in finding the food treat (23–40% success rate). In a replication of the experiment under strictly blinded conditions five out of six dogs detected the magnet above chance level (53–63% success rate). These experiments support the existence of a magnetic sense in domestic dogs. Whether the sense enables dogs to perceive MFs as weak as the Earth’s MF, if they use it for orientation, and by which mechanism the fields are perceived remain open questions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sabine Martini
creator: Sabine Begall
creator: Tanja Findeklee
creator: Marcus Schmitt
creator: E. Pascal Malkemper
creator: Hynek Burda
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6117
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Martini et al.
abstract: Magnetoreception, the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field (MF), is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom. In 1966, the first report on a magnetosensitive vertebrate, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), was published. After that, numerous further species of different taxa have been identified to be magnetosensitive as well. Recently, it has been demonstrated that domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer to align their body axis along the North–South axis during territorial marking under calm MF conditions and that they abandon this preference when the Earth’s MF is unstable. In a further study conducting a directional two-choice-test, dogs showed a spontaneous preference for the northern direction. Being designated as putatively magnetosensitive and being also known as trainable for diverse choice and search tests, dogs seem to be suitable model animals for a direct test of magnetoreception: learning to find a magnet. Using operant conditioning dogs were trained to identify the MF of a bar magnet in a three-alternative forced-choice experiment. We excluded visual cues and used control trials with food treats to test for the role of olfaction in finding the magnet. While 13 out of 16 dogs detected the magnet significantly above chance level (53–73% success rate), none of the dogs managed to do so in finding the food treat (23–40% success rate). In a replication of the experiment under strictly blinded conditions five out of six dogs detected the magnet above chance level (53–63% success rate). These experiments support the existence of a magnetic sense in domestic dogs. Whether the sense enables dogs to perceive MFs as weak as the Earth’s MF, if they use it for orientation, and by which mechanism the fields are perceived remain open questions.
bibliographic citation: Martini et al. (2018) Dogs can be trained to find a bar magnet. PeerJ 6:e6117 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6117
date submitted: 2018-08-09
date accepted: 2018-11-13
issued: 2018-12-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Martini
  given name: Sabine
author list: Agent
  family name: Begall
  given name: Sabine
author list: Agent
  family name: Findeklee
  given name: Tanja
author list: Agent
  family name: Schmitt
  given name: Marcus
author list: Agent
  family name: Malkemper
  given name: E. Pascal
author list: Agent
  family name: Burda
  given name: Hynek
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6117
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-17
copyright: © 2018 Martini et al.
attribution name: Martini et al.

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles using Rhazya stricta
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has gained significant attention in the field of nanomedicine as an environment-friendly and cost-effective alternative in comparison with other physical and chemical methods. Several metals such as silver, gold, iron, titanium, zinc, magnesium and copper have been subjected to nanoformulation for a wide range of useful applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are playing a major role in the field of nanomedicine and nanotechnology. They are widely used in diagnostics, therapeutic and pharmaceutical industries. Studies have shown potential inhibitory antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis activities of AgNPs. Methods AgNPs have been synthesized using silver nitrate and methanolic root extract of Rhazya stricta that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Stability and dispersion of nanoparticles were improved by adding xylitol. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the antibacterial effect of the plant extract and the nanoparticles were evaluated against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Results The average size of AgNPs synthesized, was 20 nm with the spherical shape. Rhazya stricta based nanoparticles exhibited improved antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and negative strains.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Adeeb Shehzad
creator: Munibah Qureshi
creator: Saima Jabeen
creator: Rizwan Ahmad
creator: Amira H. Alabdalall
creator: Meneerah Abdulrahman Aljafary
creator: Ebtesam Al-Suhaimi
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioengineering
subject: Microbiology
subject: Nutrition
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.6086
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Shehzad et al.
abstract: Background Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has gained significant attention in the field of nanomedicine as an environment-friendly and cost-effective alternative in comparison with other physical and chemical methods. Several metals such as silver, gold, iron, titanium, zinc, magnesium and copper have been subjected to nanoformulation for a wide range of useful applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are playing a major role in the field of nanomedicine and nanotechnology. They are widely used in diagnostics, therapeutic and pharmaceutical industries. Studies have shown potential inhibitory antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis activities of AgNPs. Methods AgNPs have been synthesized using silver nitrate and methanolic root extract of Rhazya stricta that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Stability and dispersion of nanoparticles were improved by adding xylitol. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the antibacterial effect of the plant extract and the nanoparticles were evaluated against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Results The average size of AgNPs synthesized, was 20 nm with the spherical shape. Rhazya stricta based nanoparticles exhibited improved antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and negative strains.
bibliographic citation: Shehzad et al. (2018) Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles using Rhazya stricta. PeerJ 6:e6086 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6086
date submitted: 2018-07-05
date accepted: 2018-11-08
issued: 2018-12-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shehzad
  given name: Adeeb
author list: Agent
  family name: Qureshi
  given name: Munibah
author list: Agent
  family name: Jabeen
  given name: Saima
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahmad
  given name: Rizwan
author list: Agent
  family name: Alabdalall
  given name: Amira H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aljafary
  given name: Meneerah Abdulrahman
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Suhaimi
  given name: Ebtesam
doi: 10.7717/peerj.6086
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-12-17
copyright: © 2018 Shehzad et al.
attribution name: Shehzad et al.

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