PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Model-based in silico analysis of the PI3K/Akt pathway: the elucidation of cross-talk between diabetes and breast cancer
items: A real-time PCR assay for quantification of parasite burden in murine models of leishmaniasis
items: Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy
items: Risk and protective factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan high-risk male populations
items: Histological analysis of post-eruption tooth wear adaptations, and ontogenetic changes in tooth implantation in the acrodontan squamate Pogona vitticeps
items: Porewater salinity in a southeastern United States salt marsh: controls and interannual variation
items: Modelling the dynamics of a large rock landslide in the Dolomites (eastern Italian Alps) using multi-temporal DEMs
items: Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius)
items: Changes in stigma and help-seeking in relation to postpartum depression: non-clinical parenting intervention sample
items: Cancer and mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplantation recipients

Model-based in silico analysis of the PI3K/Akt pathway: the elucidation of cross-talk between diabetes and breast cancer
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background A positive association between diabetes and breast cancer has been identified by various epidemiological and clinical studies. However, the possible molecular interactions between the two heterogeneous diseases have not been fully determined yet. There are several underlying mechanisms which may increase the risk of breast cancer in diabetic patients. Introduction In this study, we focused on the role of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) enzyme in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway through activation/deactivation of Akt protein. The efficiency of insulin signaling in adipocytes is reduced as a result of OGT overexpression which further attenuates Akt signaling; as a result, the efficiency of insulin signaling is reduced by downregulation of insulin-responsive genes. On the other hand, increased expression of OGT results in Akt activation in breast cancer cells, leading to enhanced cell proliferation and inhibition of the apoptosis. However, the interplay amongst these signaling pathways is still under investigation. Methods In this study, we used Petri nets (PNs) to model and investigate the role of PI3K and OGT pathways, acting as key players in crosstalk between diabetes and breast cancer, resulting in progression of these chronic diseases. Moreover, in silico perturbation experiments were applied on the model to analyze the effects of anti-cancer agents (shRNA and BZX) and anti-diabetic drug (Metformin) on the system. Results Our PN model reflects the alterations in protein expression and behavior and the correlation between breast cancer and diabetes. The analysis proposed two combination therapies to combat breast cancer progression in diabetic patients including combination of OGTmRNA silencing and OGT inhibitor (BZX) as first combination and BZX and Metformin as the second. Conclusion The PN model verified that alterations in O-GlcNAc signaling affect both insulin resistance and breast cancer. Moreover, the combination therapy …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sammia Rehman
creator: Ayesha Obaid
creator: Anam Naz
creator: Amjad Ali
creator: Shahzina Kanwal
creator: Jamil Ahmad
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Computational Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5917
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Rehman et al.
abstract: Background A positive association between diabetes and breast cancer has been identified by various epidemiological and clinical studies. However, the possible molecular interactions between the two heterogeneous diseases have not been fully determined yet. There are several underlying mechanisms which may increase the risk of breast cancer in diabetic patients. Introduction In this study, we focused on the role of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) enzyme in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway through activation/deactivation of Akt protein. The efficiency of insulin signaling in adipocytes is reduced as a result of OGT overexpression which further attenuates Akt signaling; as a result, the efficiency of insulin signaling is reduced by downregulation of insulin-responsive genes. On the other hand, increased expression of OGT results in Akt activation in breast cancer cells, leading to enhanced cell proliferation and inhibition of the apoptosis. However, the interplay amongst these signaling pathways is still under investigation. Methods In this study, we used Petri nets (PNs) to model and investigate the role of PI3K and OGT pathways, acting as key players in crosstalk between diabetes and breast cancer, resulting in progression of these chronic diseases. Moreover, in silico perturbation experiments were applied on the model to analyze the effects of anti-cancer agents (shRNA and BZX) and anti-diabetic drug (Metformin) on the system. Results Our PN model reflects the alterations in protein expression and behavior and the correlation between breast cancer and diabetes. The analysis proposed two combination therapies to combat breast cancer progression in diabetic patients including combination of OGTmRNA silencing and OGT inhibitor (BZX) as first combination and BZX and Metformin as the second. Conclusion The PN model verified that alterations in O-GlcNAc signaling affect both insulin resistance and breast cancer. Moreover, the combination therapy …
bibliographic citation: Rehman et al. (2018) Model-based in silico analysis of the PI3K/Akt pathway: the elucidation of cross-talk between diabetes and breast cancer. PeerJ 6:e5917 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5917
date submitted: 2018-02-27
date accepted: 2018-10-11
issued: 2018-11-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rehman
  given name: Sammia
author list: Agent
  family name: Obaid
  given name: Ayesha
author list: Agent
  family name: Naz
  given name: Anam
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Amjad
author list: Agent
  family name: Kanwal
  given name: Shahzina
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahmad
  given name: Jamil
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5917
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-09
copyright: © 2018 Rehman et al.
attribution name: Rehman et al.

A real-time PCR assay for quantification of parasite burden in murine models of leishmaniasis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Eukaryotic parasites in the genus Leishmania place approximately 350 million people per year at risk of disease. In addition to their global health significance, Leishmania spp. have served as an important model for delineating basic concepts in immunology such as T-helper cell polarization. There have been many qPCR-based assays reported for measuring parasite burden in humans and animals. However, these are largely optimized for use in clinical diagnosis and not specifically for animal models. This has led several of these assays to have suboptimal characteristics for use in animal models. For example, multi-copy number genes have been frequently used to increase sensitivity but are subject to greater plasticity within the genome and thus may confound effects of experimental manipulations in animal models. In this study, we developed a sybr-green based quantitative touchdown PCR assay for a highly conserved and single-copy putative RNA-binding protein, DRBD3. With primers that share greater than 90% sequence identity across all sequenced Leishmania spp., we demonstrate that this assay has a lower limit of detection of 100 fg of parasite DNA for Leishmania major, L. donovani, L. venezuelensis, and L. panamensis. Using C57BL6/J mice, we used this assay to monitor parasite burden over 1 month of infection with two strains of L. major (Seidman and Friedlin), and L. venezeuelensis. These characteristics rival the sensitivity of previously reported qPCR based methods of parasite quantitation while amplifying a stable, single copy gene. Use of this protocol in the future will lead to improved accuracy in animal based models and help to tease apart differences in biology of host-parasite interactions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alejandro L. Antonia
creator: Liuyang Wang
creator: Dennis C. Ko
subject: Parasitology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5905
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Antonia et al.
abstract: Eukaryotic parasites in the genus Leishmania place approximately 350 million people per year at risk of disease. In addition to their global health significance, Leishmania spp. have served as an important model for delineating basic concepts in immunology such as T-helper cell polarization. There have been many qPCR-based assays reported for measuring parasite burden in humans and animals. However, these are largely optimized for use in clinical diagnosis and not specifically for animal models. This has led several of these assays to have suboptimal characteristics for use in animal models. For example, multi-copy number genes have been frequently used to increase sensitivity but are subject to greater plasticity within the genome and thus may confound effects of experimental manipulations in animal models. In this study, we developed a sybr-green based quantitative touchdown PCR assay for a highly conserved and single-copy putative RNA-binding protein, DRBD3. With primers that share greater than 90% sequence identity across all sequenced Leishmania spp., we demonstrate that this assay has a lower limit of detection of 100 fg of parasite DNA for Leishmania major, L. donovani, L. venezuelensis, and L. panamensis. Using C57BL6/J mice, we used this assay to monitor parasite burden over 1 month of infection with two strains of L. major (Seidman and Friedlin), and L. venezeuelensis. These characteristics rival the sensitivity of previously reported qPCR based methods of parasite quantitation while amplifying a stable, single copy gene. Use of this protocol in the future will lead to improved accuracy in animal based models and help to tease apart differences in biology of host-parasite interactions.
bibliographic citation: Antonia et al. (2018) A real-time PCR assay for quantification of parasite burden in murine models of leishmaniasis. PeerJ 6:e5905 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5905
date submitted: 2018-05-09
date accepted: 2018-10-09
issued: 2018-11-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Antonia
  given name: Alejandro L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Liuyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Ko
  given name: Dennis C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5905
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-09
copyright: © 2018 Antonia et al.
attribution name: Antonia et al.

Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Development of incisional complications following ventral median celiotomy might depend on suture pattern for skin closure. Methods In this prospective study, 21 healthy male horses underwent celiotomy. Skin closure was either performed via a continuous percutaneous pattern (CO group; 5 warmbloods/5 ponies) or an intradermal pattern (ID group; 5 warmbloods/6 ponies). Follow-up examination of the incisional site included daily monitoring for edema, dehiscence, and drainage. Transcutaneous ultrasound was performed at Days 3, 6, and 10 as well as on Week 8 and 12 to evaluate size of edema and presence or absence of sinus formation, and hernia formation. Prevalence of incisional infection on base of positive microbiological analysis at any time up to Day 10 was evaluated and compared between ID and CO group. Furthermore, edema size was analysed by a linear mixed-effect model for group and time dependency. Results Observed incisional complications included edema (9/10 in CO, 10/11 in ID), suture sinus formation (2/10 in CO, 1/11 in ID), surgical site infection (2/10 in CO, 0/11 in ID), and incisional hernia (1/10 in CO, 0/11 in ID). The overall prevalence of incisional infection was 9.5% without significant differences between both groups (20% in CO, 0% in ID; p = 0.214). Edema size was not dependent on time or group (p = 0.545 and p = 0.627, respectively). Discussion CO and ID suture pattern are appropriate for skin closure following ventral median celiotomy in horses. None of the animals in the continuous ID group developed surgical site infections, even without the use of antibiotics.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Doreen Scharner
creator: Claudia Gittel
creator: Karsten Winter
creator: Dominique Blaue
creator: Carola Schedlbauer
creator: Ingrid Vervuert
creator: Walter Brehm
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5772
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Scharner et al.
abstract: Background Development of incisional complications following ventral median celiotomy might depend on suture pattern for skin closure. Methods In this prospective study, 21 healthy male horses underwent celiotomy. Skin closure was either performed via a continuous percutaneous pattern (CO group; 5 warmbloods/5 ponies) or an intradermal pattern (ID group; 5 warmbloods/6 ponies). Follow-up examination of the incisional site included daily monitoring for edema, dehiscence, and drainage. Transcutaneous ultrasound was performed at Days 3, 6, and 10 as well as on Week 8 and 12 to evaluate size of edema and presence or absence of sinus formation, and hernia formation. Prevalence of incisional infection on base of positive microbiological analysis at any time up to Day 10 was evaluated and compared between ID and CO group. Furthermore, edema size was analysed by a linear mixed-effect model for group and time dependency. Results Observed incisional complications included edema (9/10 in CO, 10/11 in ID), suture sinus formation (2/10 in CO, 1/11 in ID), surgical site infection (2/10 in CO, 0/11 in ID), and incisional hernia (1/10 in CO, 0/11 in ID). The overall prevalence of incisional infection was 9.5% without significant differences between both groups (20% in CO, 0% in ID; p = 0.214). Edema size was not dependent on time or group (p = 0.545 and p = 0.627, respectively). Discussion CO and ID suture pattern are appropriate for skin closure following ventral median celiotomy in horses. None of the animals in the continuous ID group developed surgical site infections, even without the use of antibiotics.
bibliographic citation: Scharner et al. (2018) Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy. PeerJ 6:e5772 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5772
date submitted: 2018-03-30
date accepted: 2018-09-17
issued: 2018-11-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Scharner
  given name: Doreen
author list: Agent
  family name: Gittel
  given name: Claudia
author list: Agent
  family name: Winter
  given name: Karsten
author list: Agent
  family name: Blaue
  given name: Dominique
author list: Agent
  family name: Schedlbauer
  given name: Carola
author list: Agent
  family name: Vervuert
  given name: Ingrid
author list: Agent
  family name: Brehm
  given name: Walter
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5772
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-09
copyright: © 2018 Scharner et al.
attribution name: Scharner et al.

Risk and protective factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan high-risk male populations
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Substance use is linked to biological, environmental, and social factors. This study provides insights on protective and risk factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan, high-risk, male samples. Methods Data from the “Mental and Somatic Health without borders” (MeSHe) survey were utilized in the present study. The MeSHe survey assesses somatic and mental health parameters by self-report from prison inmates (n = 177) and outpatients from an addiction institution (n = 54). The “Drug dependence” and the “No drug dependence” groups were identified based on the Arabic version of the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test’s (DUDIT) validated cutoff for identifying individuals with drug dependence, specifically in Morocco. Results The majority of participants who had at least high school competence (67.6%), were living in a partnership (53.7%), were a parent (43.1%), and/or had a job (86.8%) belonged to the “No drug dependence” group, while the presence of mental health problems was typical among the “Drug dependence” group (47.4%). A multivariable regression model (χ2 (df = 5, N = 156) = 63.90, p < 0.001) revealed that the presence of depression diagnosis remains a significant risk factor, while a higher level of education, having a child, and being employed are protective factors from drug dependence. Discussion Findings support the importance of increasing academic competence and treating depression as prevention from the persistence of drug addiction in male high-risk populations.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Anis Sfendla
creator: Dina Lemrani
creator: Britt Hedman Ahlström
creator: Meftaha Senhaji
creator: Nóra Kerekes
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5930
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Sfendla et al.
abstract: Background Substance use is linked to biological, environmental, and social factors. This study provides insights on protective and risk factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan, high-risk, male samples. Methods Data from the “Mental and Somatic Health without borders” (MeSHe) survey were utilized in the present study. The MeSHe survey assesses somatic and mental health parameters by self-report from prison inmates (n = 177) and outpatients from an addiction institution (n = 54). The “Drug dependence” and the “No drug dependence” groups were identified based on the Arabic version of the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test’s (DUDIT) validated cutoff for identifying individuals with drug dependence, specifically in Morocco. Results The majority of participants who had at least high school competence (67.6%), were living in a partnership (53.7%), were a parent (43.1%), and/or had a job (86.8%) belonged to the “No drug dependence” group, while the presence of mental health problems was typical among the “Drug dependence” group (47.4%). A multivariable regression model (χ2 (df = 5, N = 156) = 63.90, p < 0.001) revealed that the presence of depression diagnosis remains a significant risk factor, while a higher level of education, having a child, and being employed are protective factors from drug dependence. Discussion Findings support the importance of increasing academic competence and treating depression as prevention from the persistence of drug addiction in male high-risk populations.
bibliographic citation: Sfendla et al. (2018) Risk and protective factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan high-risk male populations. PeerJ 6:e5930 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5930
date submitted: 2018-03-13
date accepted: 2018-10-15
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sfendla
  given name: Anis
author list: Agent
  family name: Lemrani
  given name: Dina
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahlström
  given name: Britt Hedman
author list: Agent
  family name: Senhaji
  given name: Meftaha
author list: Agent
  family name: Kerekes
  given name: Nóra
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5930
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: © 2018 Sfendla et al.
attribution name: Sfendla et al.

Histological analysis of post-eruption tooth wear adaptations, and ontogenetic changes in tooth implantation in the acrodontan squamate Pogona vitticeps
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Teeth have been a focus of research in both extinct and extant taxa alike; a significant portion of dental literature is concerned with dental patterning and replacement. Most non-mammalian vertebrates continuously replace their dentition but an anomalous group of squamates has forgone this process in only having one tooth generation; these squamates all have apically implanted teeth, a condition known as acrodonty. Acrodont dentition and various characteristics attributed to it, including a lack of replacement, have often been defined ambiguously. This study explores this type of implantation through histology in the ontogeny of the acrodont agamid Pogona vitticeps. The non-replacing teeth of this squamate provides an opportunity to study wear adaptations, maintenance of occlusion in a non-mammalian system, and most importantly post-eruption changes in the tooth bone interface. In this study the post-eruption changes combined with dental wear likely gives the appearance of acrodont implantation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yara Haridy
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Zoology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5923
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Haridy
abstract: Teeth have been a focus of research in both extinct and extant taxa alike; a significant portion of dental literature is concerned with dental patterning and replacement. Most non-mammalian vertebrates continuously replace their dentition but an anomalous group of squamates has forgone this process in only having one tooth generation; these squamates all have apically implanted teeth, a condition known as acrodonty. Acrodont dentition and various characteristics attributed to it, including a lack of replacement, have often been defined ambiguously. This study explores this type of implantation through histology in the ontogeny of the acrodont agamid Pogona vitticeps. The non-replacing teeth of this squamate provides an opportunity to study wear adaptations, maintenance of occlusion in a non-mammalian system, and most importantly post-eruption changes in the tooth bone interface. In this study the post-eruption changes combined with dental wear likely gives the appearance of acrodont implantation.
bibliographic citation: Haridy (2018) Histological analysis of post-eruption tooth wear adaptations, and ontogenetic changes in tooth implantation in the acrodontan squamate Pogona vitticeps. PeerJ 6:e5923 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5923
date submitted: 2018-08-14
date accepted: 2018-10-12
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Haridy
  given name: Yara
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5923
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: ©2018 Haridy
attribution name: Haridy

Porewater salinity in a southeastern United States salt marsh: controls and interannual variation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: In coastal marsh ecosystems, porewater salinity strongly affects vegetation distribution and productivity. To simulate marsh porewater salinity, an integrated, spatially explicit model was developed, accounting for tidal inundation, evaporation, and precipitation, as well as lateral and vertical exchanges in both surface waters and the subsurface. It was applied to the Duplin River marsh, Sapelo Island, USA, over a 3-year period, which covered both drought and wet conditions. Simulated porewater salinity in the low and high marsh correlated with Duplin River salinity, with evapotranspiration and precipitation leading to substantial variations in porewater salinities across seasons, in particular in the high marsh. The model revealed substantial interannual variability in marsh soil conditions, and—due to its process-based approach linked to external forcings—can be used to explore effects of sea level rise and changes in hydrological forcings on marsh soil conditions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: David Miklesh
creator: Christof Meile
subject: Biosphere Interactions
subject: Ecohydrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5911
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Miklesh and Meile
abstract: In coastal marsh ecosystems, porewater salinity strongly affects vegetation distribution and productivity. To simulate marsh porewater salinity, an integrated, spatially explicit model was developed, accounting for tidal inundation, evaporation, and precipitation, as well as lateral and vertical exchanges in both surface waters and the subsurface. It was applied to the Duplin River marsh, Sapelo Island, USA, over a 3-year period, which covered both drought and wet conditions. Simulated porewater salinity in the low and high marsh correlated with Duplin River salinity, with evapotranspiration and precipitation leading to substantial variations in porewater salinities across seasons, in particular in the high marsh. The model revealed substantial interannual variability in marsh soil conditions, and—due to its process-based approach linked to external forcings—can be used to explore effects of sea level rise and changes in hydrological forcings on marsh soil conditions.
bibliographic citation: Miklesh et al. (2018) Porewater salinity in a southeastern United States salt marsh: controls and interannual variation. PeerJ 6:e5911 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5911
date submitted: 2018-05-02
date accepted: 2018-10-10
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Miklesh
  given name: David
author list: Agent
  family name: Meile
  given name: Christof
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5911
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: © 2018 Miklesh and Meile
attribution name: Miklesh and Meile

Modelling the dynamics of a large rock landslide in the Dolomites (eastern Italian Alps) using multi-temporal DEMs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Latest advances in topographic data acquisition techniques have greatly enhanced the possibility to analyse landscapes in order to understand the processes that shaped them. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), such as LiDAR-derived ones, provide detailed topographic information. In particular, if multi-temporal DEMs are available, it is possible to carry out a detailed geomorphic change detection analysis. This analysis may provide information about the dynamics of large landslides and may thus, be useful for landslide risk assessments. However, LiDAR-derived DEMs are mostly available only as post-event surveys. The technique is relatively recent, and local or national authorities only started widespread surveys in the last decade. Therefore, it is of a certain interest to analyse the effectiveness of DEMs derived from technical cartography to produce reliable volumetric estimates related to large landslides. This study evaluates the use of a multi-source DEM of Difference (DoD) analysis for the investigation of a large landslide –Le Laste–, which occurred on November 12, 2014 on Mount Antelao (eastern Italian Alps). The landslide initiated as a 365,000 m3 rockslide close to the summit of the mountain and transformed into a debris avalanche during its runout. The comparison of pre- and post-event DEMs allowed for the identification and quantification of erosion and deposition areas, and for the estimation of landslide volume. A sound back-analysis of the landslide with the 3D numerical model DAN3D was based on this comparison and on seismic records of the event. These seismic records proved to be remarkably useful, as they allowed for the calibration of the simulated landslide velocity. This ensured the reliability of the model notwithstanding the topographic datasets, intrinsic uncertainties. We found that using a pre-event DEM derived from technical cartography tends to slightly overestimate the volume with respect to the use of the more accurate LiDA…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ricarda Gatter
creator: Marco Cavalli
creator: Stefano Crema
creator: Giulia Bossi
subject: Environmental Impacts
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5903
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Gatter et al.
abstract: Latest advances in topographic data acquisition techniques have greatly enhanced the possibility to analyse landscapes in order to understand the processes that shaped them. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), such as LiDAR-derived ones, provide detailed topographic information. In particular, if multi-temporal DEMs are available, it is possible to carry out a detailed geomorphic change detection analysis. This analysis may provide information about the dynamics of large landslides and may thus, be useful for landslide risk assessments. However, LiDAR-derived DEMs are mostly available only as post-event surveys. The technique is relatively recent, and local or national authorities only started widespread surveys in the last decade. Therefore, it is of a certain interest to analyse the effectiveness of DEMs derived from technical cartography to produce reliable volumetric estimates related to large landslides. This study evaluates the use of a multi-source DEM of Difference (DoD) analysis for the investigation of a large landslide –Le Laste–, which occurred on November 12, 2014 on Mount Antelao (eastern Italian Alps). The landslide initiated as a 365,000 m3 rockslide close to the summit of the mountain and transformed into a debris avalanche during its runout. The comparison of pre- and post-event DEMs allowed for the identification and quantification of erosion and deposition areas, and for the estimation of landslide volume. A sound back-analysis of the landslide with the 3D numerical model DAN3D was based on this comparison and on seismic records of the event. These seismic records proved to be remarkably useful, as they allowed for the calibration of the simulated landslide velocity. This ensured the reliability of the model notwithstanding the topographic datasets, intrinsic uncertainties. We found that using a pre-event DEM derived from technical cartography tends to slightly overestimate the volume with respect to the use of the more accurate LiDA…
bibliographic citation: Gatter et al. (2018) Modelling the dynamics of a large rock landslide in the Dolomites (eastern Italian Alps) using multi-temporal DEMs. PeerJ 6:e5903 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5903
date submitted: 2018-03-22
date accepted: 2018-10-09
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gatter
  given name: Ricarda
author list: Agent
  family name: Cavalli
  given name: Marco
author list: Agent
  family name: Crema
  given name: Stefano
author list: Agent
  family name: Bossi
  given name: Giulia
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5903
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: ©2018 Gatter et al.
attribution name: Gatter et al.

Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The study of demographic and life history aspects of an organism provides valuable information for its conservation. Here, we analyze the phenology of the Mountain Treefrog Hyla eximia (= Dryophytes eximius) in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau. Females were larger in snout-vent length and body mass than males. The peak period of activity occurred in the rainy season (May–September), with amplexus and egg deposition occurring between June and July, and larval development from July to August. A logistic model best explained observed male growth patterns, while the Von Bertalanffy model better described female growth. Notably, males grew faster than females, although females reached a larger overall body size. The diet of this species is made up of 10 prey categories. The index of diet importance indicated that males feed mainly on Coleoptera and Diptera, while females feed on Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Aranea. Both females and males showed a significant abundance of plant material in their stomachs, suggesting that H. eximia might exhibit highly specialized feeding behavior. Reproduction was seasonal, and both female and male reproductive cycles are synchronized with the rainy season. These natural history characteristics provide information to better understand their responses to environmental conditions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Uriel Hernández-Salinas
creator: Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista
creator: Barry P. Stephenson
creator: Raciel Cruz-Elizalde
creator: Christian Berriozabal-Islas
creator: Carlos Jesús Balderas-Valdivia
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecohydrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5897
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Hernández-Salinas et al.
abstract: The study of demographic and life history aspects of an organism provides valuable information for its conservation. Here, we analyze the phenology of the Mountain Treefrog Hyla eximia (= Dryophytes eximius) in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau. Females were larger in snout-vent length and body mass than males. The peak period of activity occurred in the rainy season (May–September), with amplexus and egg deposition occurring between June and July, and larval development from July to August. A logistic model best explained observed male growth patterns, while the Von Bertalanffy model better described female growth. Notably, males grew faster than females, although females reached a larger overall body size. The diet of this species is made up of 10 prey categories. The index of diet importance indicated that males feed mainly on Coleoptera and Diptera, while females feed on Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Aranea. Both females and males showed a significant abundance of plant material in their stomachs, suggesting that H. eximia might exhibit highly specialized feeding behavior. Reproduction was seasonal, and both female and male reproductive cycles are synchronized with the rainy season. These natural history characteristics provide information to better understand their responses to environmental conditions.
bibliographic citation: Hernández-Salinas et al. (2018) Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius). PeerJ 6:e5897 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5897
date submitted: 2018-04-26
date accepted: 2018-10-06
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernández-Salinas
  given name: Uriel
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramírez-Bautista
  given name: Aurelio
author list: Agent
  family name: Stephenson
  given name: Barry P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cruz-Elizalde
  given name: Raciel
author list: Agent
  family name: Berriozabal-Islas
  given name: Christian
author list: Agent
  family name: Jesús Balderas-Valdivia
  given name: Carlos
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5897
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: © 2018 Hernández-Salinas et al.
attribution name: Hernández-Salinas et al.

Changes in stigma and help-seeking in relation to postpartum depression: non-clinical parenting intervention sample
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental illness affecting women, and less commonly, men in the weeks and months after giving birth. Despite the high incidence of PPD in Australia, rates for help-seeking remain low, with stigma and discrimination frequently cited as the most common deterrents to seeking help from a professional source. The present study sought to investigate PPD stigma in a sample of parents and to examine the effects of an intervention on stigma and help-seeking behaviour. A total of 212 parents aged 18–71 years (M = 36.88, 194 females) completed measures of personal and perceived PPD stigma and attitudes towards seeking mental health services and were randomly assigned to one of four groups: an intervention group (video documentary or factsheet related to PPD) or a control group (video documentary or factsheet not related to PPD). Results showed that there were no effects for type of intervention on either personal or perceived PPD stigma scores. No effect was found for help-seeking propensity. Males had higher personal PPD stigma than females and older age was associated with lower personal PPD stigma. Familiarity with PPD was associated with perceived PPD stigma in others but not personal PPD stigma. More work needs to be conducted to develop interventions to reduce PPD stigma in the community.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Einar B. Thorsteinsson
creator: Natasha M. Loi
creator: Kathryn Farr
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5893
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Thorsteinsson, Loi & Farr
abstract: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental illness affecting women, and less commonly, men in the weeks and months after giving birth. Despite the high incidence of PPD in Australia, rates for help-seeking remain low, with stigma and discrimination frequently cited as the most common deterrents to seeking help from a professional source. The present study sought to investigate PPD stigma in a sample of parents and to examine the effects of an intervention on stigma and help-seeking behaviour. A total of 212 parents aged 18–71 years (M = 36.88, 194 females) completed measures of personal and perceived PPD stigma and attitudes towards seeking mental health services and were randomly assigned to one of four groups: an intervention group (video documentary or factsheet related to PPD) or a control group (video documentary or factsheet not related to PPD). Results showed that there were no effects for type of intervention on either personal or perceived PPD stigma scores. No effect was found for help-seeking propensity. Males had higher personal PPD stigma than females and older age was associated with lower personal PPD stigma. Familiarity with PPD was associated with perceived PPD stigma in others but not personal PPD stigma. More work needs to be conducted to develop interventions to reduce PPD stigma in the community.
bibliographic citation: Thorsteinsson et al. (2018) Changes in stigma and help-seeking in relation to postpartum depression: non-clinical parenting intervention sample. PeerJ 6:e5893 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5893
date submitted: 2018-07-25
date accepted: 2018-10-08
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Thorsteinsson
  given name: Einar B.
author list: Agent
  family name: Loi
  given name: Natasha M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Farr
  given name: Kathryn
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5893
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: © 2018 Thorsteinsson et al.
attribution name: Thorsteinsson, Loi & Farr

Cancer and mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplantation recipients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Previous studies show that mTOR inhibitors decrease the risk of cancer development after kidney transplantation. However, the effect of cumulative doses of mTOR inhibitors on cancer after kidney transplantation is not well known. Methods In the current study, patients were registered into a national database in Taiwan. Between year 2000 and 2013, 4,563 patients received kidney transplantation. They were divided into two groups, according to mTOR inhibitors usage. The cumulative dose of mTOR inhibitors was recorded. Patients were followed-up until de novo cancer development, death, or the end of 2014. Results Patients were divided into two groups: mTOR inhibitors users (study group, n = 828) and mTOR inhibitors non-users (control group, n = 3,735). The median follow-up duration was 7.8 years. The risk of de novo cancer (hazards ratio (HR) 0.80, 95% CI [0.60–1.09], p = 0.16) and risk of death (HR 1.14, 95% CI [0.82–1.60], p = 0.43) was not different between mTOR inhibitor user and non-user groups. Neither high- nor low-dose exposure to mTOR inhibitors was associated with increased risk of cancer or mortality. Analysis of cancer subtypes showed no influence by mTOR inhibitors. In addition, the cause of mortality was not significantly different between the two groups. Discussion We could not find the association of mTOR inhibitors use and risk of de novo cancer development or mortality in patients with kidney transplantation in Chinese patients. Cumulative exposure to mTOR inhibitors did not change the results.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chih-Chin Kao
creator: Jia-Sin Liu
creator: Yu-Kang Chang
creator: Ming-Huang Lin
creator: Yen-Chung Lin
creator: Hsi-Hsien Chen
creator: Wei-Chiao Chang
creator: Chih-Cheng Hsu
creator: Mai-Szu Wu
subject: Internal Medicine
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5864
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Kao et al.
abstract: Background Previous studies show that mTOR inhibitors decrease the risk of cancer development after kidney transplantation. However, the effect of cumulative doses of mTOR inhibitors on cancer after kidney transplantation is not well known. Methods In the current study, patients were registered into a national database in Taiwan. Between year 2000 and 2013, 4,563 patients received kidney transplantation. They were divided into two groups, according to mTOR inhibitors usage. The cumulative dose of mTOR inhibitors was recorded. Patients were followed-up until de novo cancer development, death, or the end of 2014. Results Patients were divided into two groups: mTOR inhibitors users (study group, n = 828) and mTOR inhibitors non-users (control group, n = 3,735). The median follow-up duration was 7.8 years. The risk of de novo cancer (hazards ratio (HR) 0.80, 95% CI [0.60–1.09], p = 0.16) and risk of death (HR 1.14, 95% CI [0.82–1.60], p = 0.43) was not different between mTOR inhibitor user and non-user groups. Neither high- nor low-dose exposure to mTOR inhibitors was associated with increased risk of cancer or mortality. Analysis of cancer subtypes showed no influence by mTOR inhibitors. In addition, the cause of mortality was not significantly different between the two groups. Discussion We could not find the association of mTOR inhibitors use and risk of de novo cancer development or mortality in patients with kidney transplantation in Chinese patients. Cumulative exposure to mTOR inhibitors did not change the results.
bibliographic citation: Kao et al. (2018) Cancer and mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplantation recipients. PeerJ 6:e5864 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5864
date submitted: 2018-04-24
date accepted: 2018-10-03
issued: 2018-11-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kao
  given name: Chih-Chin
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Jia-Sin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Yu-Kang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Ming-Huang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Yen-Chung
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Hsi-Hsien
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Wei-Chiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Hsu
  given name: Chih-Cheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Mai-Szu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5864
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-11-08
copyright: © 2018 Kao et al.
attribution name: Kao et al.

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