PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Crucial biological functions of CCL7 in cancer
items: What killed Frame Lake? A precautionary tale for urban planners
items: Population diversity and relatedness in Sugarbirds (Promeropidae: Promerops spp.)
items: Epidemiology of Haemophilus parasuis isolates from pigs in China using serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation and ERIC-PCR genotyping
items: Increased chronic kidney disease development and progression in diabetic patients after appendectomy: a population-based cohort study
items: Evaluating the utility of the female-specific mitochondrial f-orf gene for population genetic, phylogeographic and systematic studies in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)
items: Efficient dispersal and substrate acquisition traits in a marine invasive species via transient chimerism and colony mobility
items: Synergistic and antagonistic effects of immunomodulatory drugs on the action of antifungals against Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
items: Identifying the predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of overreaching and overtraining in physical education professionals
items: Seasonal dynamics alter taxonomical and functional microbial profiles in Pampa biome soils under natural grasslands

Crucial biological functions of CCL7 in cancer
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7), a CC chemokine, is a chemotactic factor and attractant for various kinds of leukocytes, including monocytes and neutrophils. CCL7 is widely expressed in multiple cell types and can participate in anti-inflammatory responses through binding to its receptors to mediate the recruitment of immune cells. Abnormal CCL7 expression is associated with certain immune diseases. Furthermore, CCL7 plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis. CCL7 promotes tumor progression by supporting the formation of the tumor microenvironment and facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis, although some studies have suggested that CCL7 has tumor suppressor effects. In this review, we summarize the currently available information regarding the influence of CCL7 on tumors.
format: application/pdf
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creator: Yangyang Liu
creator: Yadi Cai
creator: Li Liu
creator: Yudong Wu
creator: Xiangyang Xiong
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4928
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Liu et al.
abstract: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7), a CC chemokine, is a chemotactic factor and attractant for various kinds of leukocytes, including monocytes and neutrophils. CCL7 is widely expressed in multiple cell types and can participate in anti-inflammatory responses through binding to its receptors to mediate the recruitment of immune cells. Abnormal CCL7 expression is associated with certain immune diseases. Furthermore, CCL7 plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis. CCL7 promotes tumor progression by supporting the formation of the tumor microenvironment and facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis, although some studies have suggested that CCL7 has tumor suppressor effects. In this review, we summarize the currently available information regarding the influence of CCL7 on tumors.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2018) Crucial biological functions of CCL7 in cancer. PeerJ 6:e4928 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4928
date submitted: 2018-03-19
date accepted: 2018-05-18
issued: 2018-06-14
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yangyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Cai
  given name: Yadi
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Yudong
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiong
  given name: Xiangyang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4928
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-14
copyright: © 2018 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

What killed Frame Lake? A precautionary tale for urban planners
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Frame Lake, located within the city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, has been identified as requiring significant remediation due to its steadily declining water quality and inability to support fish by the 1970s. Former gold mining operations and urbanization around the lake have been suspected as probable causes for the decline in water quality. While these land-use activities are well documented, little information is available regarding their impact on the lake itself. For this reason, Arcellinida, a group of shelled protozoans known to be reliable bioindicators of land-use change, were used to develop a hydroecological history of the lake. The purpose of this study was to use Arcellinida to: (1) document the contamination history of the lake, particularly related to arsenic (As) associated with aerial deposition from mine roaster stacks; (2) track the progress of water quality deterioration in Frame Lake related to mining, urbanization and other activities; and (3) identify any evidence of natural remediation within the lake. Arcellinida assemblages were assessed at 1-cm intervals through the upper 30 cm of a freeze core obtained from Frame Lake. The assemblages were statistically compared to geochemical and loss-on-ignition results from the core to document the contamination and degradation of conditions in the lake. The chronology of limnological changes recorded in the lake sediments were derived from 210Pb, 14C dating and known stratigraphic events. The progress of urbanization near the lake was tracked using aerial photography. Using Spearman correlations, the five most significant environmental variables impacting Arcellinida distribution were identified as minerogenics, organics, As, iron and mercury (p < 0.05; n = 30). Based on CONISS and ANOSIM analysis, three Arcellinida assemblages are identified. These include the Baseline Limnological Conditions Assemblage (BLCA), ranging from 17–30 cm and deposited in the early Holocene >7,000 years …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Melody J. Gavel
creator: R. Timothy Patterson
creator: Nawaf A. Nasser
creator: Jennifer M. Galloway
creator: Bruce W. Hanna
creator: Peter A. Cott
creator: Helen M. Roe
creator: Hendrik Falck
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4850
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Gavel et al.
abstract: Frame Lake, located within the city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, has been identified as requiring significant remediation due to its steadily declining water quality and inability to support fish by the 1970s. Former gold mining operations and urbanization around the lake have been suspected as probable causes for the decline in water quality. While these land-use activities are well documented, little information is available regarding their impact on the lake itself. For this reason, Arcellinida, a group of shelled protozoans known to be reliable bioindicators of land-use change, were used to develop a hydroecological history of the lake. The purpose of this study was to use Arcellinida to: (1) document the contamination history of the lake, particularly related to arsenic (As) associated with aerial deposition from mine roaster stacks; (2) track the progress of water quality deterioration in Frame Lake related to mining, urbanization and other activities; and (3) identify any evidence of natural remediation within the lake. Arcellinida assemblages were assessed at 1-cm intervals through the upper 30 cm of a freeze core obtained from Frame Lake. The assemblages were statistically compared to geochemical and loss-on-ignition results from the core to document the contamination and degradation of conditions in the lake. The chronology of limnological changes recorded in the lake sediments were derived from 210Pb, 14C dating and known stratigraphic events. The progress of urbanization near the lake was tracked using aerial photography. Using Spearman correlations, the five most significant environmental variables impacting Arcellinida distribution were identified as minerogenics, organics, As, iron and mercury (p < 0.05; n = 30). Based on CONISS and ANOSIM analysis, three Arcellinida assemblages are identified. These include the Baseline Limnological Conditions Assemblage (BLCA), ranging from 17–30 cm and deposited in the early Holocene >7,000 years …
bibliographic citation: Gavel et al. (2018) What killed Frame Lake? A precautionary tale for urban planners. PeerJ 6:e4850 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4850
date submitted: 2018-02-08
date accepted: 2018-05-06
issued: 2018-06-14
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gavel
  given name: Melody J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Patterson
  given name: R. Timothy
author list: Agent
  family name: Nasser
  given name: Nawaf A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Galloway
  given name: Jennifer M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hanna
  given name: Bruce W.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cott
  given name: Peter A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Roe
  given name: Helen M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Falck
  given name: Hendrik
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4850
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-14
copyright: ©2018 Gavel et al.
attribution name: Gavel et al.

Population diversity and relatedness in Sugarbirds (Promeropidae: Promerops spp.)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Sugarbirds are a family of two socially-monogamous passerine species endemic to southern Africa. Cape and Gurney’s Sugarbird (Promerops cafer and P. gurneyi) differ in abundance, dispersion across their range and in the degree of sexual dimorphism in tail length, factors that affect breeding systems and potentially genetic diversity. According to recent data, P. gurneyi are in decline and revision of the species’ IUCN conservation status to a threatened category may be warranted. It is therefore necessary to understand genetic diversity and risk of inbreeding in this species. We used six polymorphic microsatellite markers and one mitochondrial gene (ND2) to compare genetic diversity in P. cafer from Helderberg Nature Reserve and P. gurneyi from Golden Gate Highlands National Park, sites at the core of each species distribution. We describe novel universal avian primers which amplify the entire ND2 coding sequence across a broad range of bird orders. We observed high mitochondrial and microsatellite diversity in both sugarbird populations, with no detectable inbreeding and large effective population sizes.
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format: text/html
creator: Evan S. Haworth
creator: Michael J. Cunningham
creator: Kathleen M. Calf Tjorve
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Zoology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5000
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Haworth et al.
abstract: Sugarbirds are a family of two socially-monogamous passerine species endemic to southern Africa. Cape and Gurney’s Sugarbird (Promerops cafer and P. gurneyi) differ in abundance, dispersion across their range and in the degree of sexual dimorphism in tail length, factors that affect breeding systems and potentially genetic diversity. According to recent data, P. gurneyi are in decline and revision of the species’ IUCN conservation status to a threatened category may be warranted. It is therefore necessary to understand genetic diversity and risk of inbreeding in this species. We used six polymorphic microsatellite markers and one mitochondrial gene (ND2) to compare genetic diversity in P. cafer from Helderberg Nature Reserve and P. gurneyi from Golden Gate Highlands National Park, sites at the core of each species distribution. We describe novel universal avian primers which amplify the entire ND2 coding sequence across a broad range of bird orders. We observed high mitochondrial and microsatellite diversity in both sugarbird populations, with no detectable inbreeding and large effective population sizes.
bibliographic citation: Haworth et al. (2018) Population diversity and relatedness in Sugarbirds (Promeropidae: Promerops spp.). PeerJ 6:e5000 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5000
date submitted: 2018-03-02
date accepted: 2018-05-29
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Haworth
  given name: Evan S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cunningham
  given name: Michael J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Calf Tjorve
  given name: Kathleen M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5000
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Haworth et al.
attribution name: Haworth et al.

Epidemiology of Haemophilus parasuis isolates from pigs in China using serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation and ERIC-PCR genotyping
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Haemophilus parasuis is a commensal organism of the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs and causes high morbidity and mortality in piglets. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of H. parasuis in China from 2014 to 2017. Methods We characterized 143 H. parasuis isolates by serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation and with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) assays. Results Serotyping revealed serovar 5 as the most prevalent (26.6%) followed by serovars 4 (22.4%), 7 (9.1 %), 13 (6.3%), 12 (5.6 %), and non-typeable (8.4%). In a panel of 23 antimicrobials, the minimum inhibitory concentration 50% (MIC50) were in the range of 0.25–16 μg/mL and MIC90 were 2–>512 μg/mL. A total of 99 isolates of H. parasuis (69.2%) were able to form biofilms and 59.6% (59/99) performed weak biofilm-forming ability. ERIC-PCR revealed a very heterogeneous pattern with 87 clusters. Discussion These H. parasuis isolates showed a high serovar and genotypic lineage diversity, different abilities to form biofilms and a high degree of genetic diversity. Biofilm formation was related to antimicrobial susceptibility but there were no statistically significant associations between the antimicrobial susceptibility and either the serovars or the ERIC-PCR clusters. This study showed a high prevalence of high-MIC H. parasuis strains and suggests the need for a continuous surveillance of clinical isolates of H. parasuis.
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creator: Yongda Zhao
creator: Qin Wang
creator: Jie Li
creator: Xiaohuan Lin
creator: Xianhui Huang
creator: Binghu Fang
subject: Microbiology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5040
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Zhao et al.
abstract: Background Haemophilus parasuis is a commensal organism of the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs and causes high morbidity and mortality in piglets. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of H. parasuis in China from 2014 to 2017. Methods We characterized 143 H. parasuis isolates by serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation and with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) assays. Results Serotyping revealed serovar 5 as the most prevalent (26.6%) followed by serovars 4 (22.4%), 7 (9.1 %), 13 (6.3%), 12 (5.6 %), and non-typeable (8.4%). In a panel of 23 antimicrobials, the minimum inhibitory concentration 50% (MIC50) were in the range of 0.25–16 μg/mL and MIC90 were 2–>512 μg/mL. A total of 99 isolates of H. parasuis (69.2%) were able to form biofilms and 59.6% (59/99) performed weak biofilm-forming ability. ERIC-PCR revealed a very heterogeneous pattern with 87 clusters. Discussion These H. parasuis isolates showed a high serovar and genotypic lineage diversity, different abilities to form biofilms and a high degree of genetic diversity. Biofilm formation was related to antimicrobial susceptibility but there were no statistically significant associations between the antimicrobial susceptibility and either the serovars or the ERIC-PCR clusters. This study showed a high prevalence of high-MIC H. parasuis strains and suggests the need for a continuous surveillance of clinical isolates of H. parasuis.
bibliographic citation: Zhao et al. (2018) Epidemiology of Haemophilus parasuis isolates from pigs in China using serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation and ERIC-PCR genotyping. PeerJ 6:e5040 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5040
date submitted: 2018-03-29
date accepted: 2018-06-01
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Yongda
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Qin
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Xiaohuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Xianhui
author list: Agent
  family name: Fang
  given name: Binghu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5040
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: © 2018 Zhao et al.
attribution name: Zhao et al.

Increased chronic kidney disease development and progression in diabetic patients after appendectomy: a population-based cohort study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The vermiform appendix serves as a “safe house” for maintaining normal gut bacteria and appendectomy may impair the intestinal microbiota. Appendectomy is expected to profoundly alter the immune system and modulate the pathogenic inflammatory immune responses of the gut. Recent studies have shown that a dysbiotic gut increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we hypothesized that appendectomy would increase the risk of CKD. Methods This nationwide, population-based, propensity-score-matched cohort study included 10,383 patients who underwent appendectomy and 41,532 propensity-score-matched controls. Data were collected by the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 2000 to 2013. We examined the associations between appendectomy and CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The major outcome was a new diagnosis of CKD based on an outpatient diagnosis made at least three times or hospital discharge diagnosis made once during the follow-up period. ESRD was defined as undergoing dialysis therapy for at least 90 days, as in previous studies. Results The incidence rates of CKD and ESRD were higher in the appendectomy group than in the control cohort (CKD: 6.52 vs. 5.93 per 1,000 person-years, respectively; ESRD: 0.49 vs. 0.31 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). Appendectomy patients also had a higher risk of developing CKD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.13; 95% CI [1.01–1.26]; P = 0.037) and ESRD (aHR 1.59; 95% CI [1.06–2.37]; P = 0.024) than control group patients. Subgroup analysis showed that appendectomy patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus (aHR 2.08; P = 0.004) were at higher risk of incident ESRD than those without diabetes mellitus. The interaction effects of appendectomy and diabetes mellitus were significant for ESRD risk (P = 0.022); no interaction effect was found for CKD risk (P = 0.555). Conclusions Appendectomy increases the risk of developing CKD and ESRD, especially in dia…
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creator: Chin-Hua Chang
creator: Chew-Teng Kor
creator: Chia-Lin Wu
creator: Ping-Fang Chiu
creator: Jhao-Rong Li
creator: Chun-Chieh Tsai
creator: Teng-Hsiang Chang
creator: Chia-Chu Chang
subject: Microbiology
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Internal Medicine
subject: Nephrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5019
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Chang et al.
abstract: Background The vermiform appendix serves as a “safe house” for maintaining normal gut bacteria and appendectomy may impair the intestinal microbiota. Appendectomy is expected to profoundly alter the immune system and modulate the pathogenic inflammatory immune responses of the gut. Recent studies have shown that a dysbiotic gut increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we hypothesized that appendectomy would increase the risk of CKD. Methods This nationwide, population-based, propensity-score-matched cohort study included 10,383 patients who underwent appendectomy and 41,532 propensity-score-matched controls. Data were collected by the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 2000 to 2013. We examined the associations between appendectomy and CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The major outcome was a new diagnosis of CKD based on an outpatient diagnosis made at least three times or hospital discharge diagnosis made once during the follow-up period. ESRD was defined as undergoing dialysis therapy for at least 90 days, as in previous studies. Results The incidence rates of CKD and ESRD were higher in the appendectomy group than in the control cohort (CKD: 6.52 vs. 5.93 per 1,000 person-years, respectively; ESRD: 0.49 vs. 0.31 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). Appendectomy patients also had a higher risk of developing CKD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.13; 95% CI [1.01–1.26]; P = 0.037) and ESRD (aHR 1.59; 95% CI [1.06–2.37]; P = 0.024) than control group patients. Subgroup analysis showed that appendectomy patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus (aHR 2.08; P = 0.004) were at higher risk of incident ESRD than those without diabetes mellitus. The interaction effects of appendectomy and diabetes mellitus were significant for ESRD risk (P = 0.022); no interaction effect was found for CKD risk (P = 0.555). Conclusions Appendectomy increases the risk of developing CKD and ESRD, especially in dia…
bibliographic citation: Chang et al. (2018) Increased chronic kidney disease development and progression in diabetic patients after appendectomy: a population-based cohort study. PeerJ 6:e5019 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5019
date submitted: 2018-02-14
date accepted: 2018-05-30
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Chin-Hua
author list: Agent
  family name: Kor
  given name: Chew-Teng
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Chia-Lin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chiu
  given name: Ping-Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jhao-Rong
author list: Agent
  family name: Tsai
  given name: Chun-Chieh
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Teng-Hsiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Chia-Chu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5019
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Chang et al.
attribution name: Chang et al.

Evaluating the utility of the female-specific mitochondrial f-orf gene for population genetic, phylogeographic and systematic studies in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Freshwater mussels (order: Unionida) represent one of the most critically imperilled groups of animals; consequently, there exists a need to establish a variety of molecular markers for population genetics and systematic studies in this group. Recently, two novel mitochondrial protein-coding genes were described in unionoids with doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA. These genes are the f-orf in female-transmitted mtDNA and the m-orf in male-transmitted mtDNA. In this study, whole F-type mitochondrial genome sequences of two morphologically similar Lampsilis spp. were compared to identify the most divergent protein-coding regions, including the f-orf gene, and evaluate its utility for population genetic and phylogeographic studies in the subfamily Ambleminae. We also tested whether the f-orf gene is phylogenetically informative at the species level. Our preliminary results indicated that the f-orf gene could represent a viable molecular marker for population- and species-level studies in freshwater mussels.
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format: text/html
creator: Brent M. Robicheau
creator: Emily E. Chase
creator: Walter R. Hoeh
creator: John L. Harris
creator: Donald T. Stewart
creator: Sophie Breton
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5007
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Robicheau et al.
abstract: Freshwater mussels (order: Unionida) represent one of the most critically imperilled groups of animals; consequently, there exists a need to establish a variety of molecular markers for population genetics and systematic studies in this group. Recently, two novel mitochondrial protein-coding genes were described in unionoids with doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA. These genes are the f-orf in female-transmitted mtDNA and the m-orf in male-transmitted mtDNA. In this study, whole F-type mitochondrial genome sequences of two morphologically similar Lampsilis spp. were compared to identify the most divergent protein-coding regions, including the f-orf gene, and evaluate its utility for population genetic and phylogeographic studies in the subfamily Ambleminae. We also tested whether the f-orf gene is phylogenetically informative at the species level. Our preliminary results indicated that the f-orf gene could represent a viable molecular marker for population- and species-level studies in freshwater mussels.
bibliographic citation: Robicheau et al. (2018) Evaluating the utility of the female-specific mitochondrial f-orf gene for population genetic, phylogeographic and systematic studies in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida). PeerJ 6:e5007 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5007
date submitted: 2018-02-17
date accepted: 2018-05-29
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Robicheau
  given name: Brent M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Chase
  given name: Emily E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hoeh
  given name: Walter R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Harris
  given name: John L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Stewart
  given name: Donald T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Breton
  given name: Sophie
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5007
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Robicheau et al.
attribution name: Robicheau et al.

Efficient dispersal and substrate acquisition traits in a marine invasive species via transient chimerism and colony mobility
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Over the past three decades the colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum has been expanding its global range, significantly impacting marine habitats and aquaculture facilities. What biological features make D. vexillum so highly invasive? Here, we show that juxtaposed allogeneic D. vexillum colony fragments (‘ramets’) may, initially, form chimeric entities. Subsequently, zooids of the differing genotypes within such chimeras coordinately retreat away from fusion zones. A few days following such post-fusion retreat movements there is further ramet fission and the formation of zooid-depauperate tunic zones. Using polymorphic microsatellite loci to distinguish between genotypes, we found that they were sectorial at the fusion zones and the subsequent ramet movements resulted in further spatial separation of the paired-genotypes indicating that the fusion events observed did not lead to formation of long-term, stable chimeras. Thus, movements of D. vexillum colony ramets from initial fusion zones lead to progressive segregation of genotypes probably minimizing potential somatic/germ-cell competition/parasitism. We speculate that relatively fast (≤10 mm/day) movement of D. vexillum colonies on substrates along with frequent, and perhaps unrestrained, transient allogeneic fusions play significant roles in this species’ striking invasiveness and capacity to colonize new substrates.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Andrew E. Fidler
creator: Aurelie Bacq-Labreuil
creator: Elad Rachmilovitz
creator: Baruch Rinkevich
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.5006
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Fidler et al.
abstract: Over the past three decades the colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum has been expanding its global range, significantly impacting marine habitats and aquaculture facilities. What biological features make D. vexillum so highly invasive? Here, we show that juxtaposed allogeneic D. vexillum colony fragments (‘ramets’) may, initially, form chimeric entities. Subsequently, zooids of the differing genotypes within such chimeras coordinately retreat away from fusion zones. A few days following such post-fusion retreat movements there is further ramet fission and the formation of zooid-depauperate tunic zones. Using polymorphic microsatellite loci to distinguish between genotypes, we found that they were sectorial at the fusion zones and the subsequent ramet movements resulted in further spatial separation of the paired-genotypes indicating that the fusion events observed did not lead to formation of long-term, stable chimeras. Thus, movements of D. vexillum colony ramets from initial fusion zones lead to progressive segregation of genotypes probably minimizing potential somatic/germ-cell competition/parasitism. We speculate that relatively fast (≤10 mm/day) movement of D. vexillum colonies on substrates along with frequent, and perhaps unrestrained, transient allogeneic fusions play significant roles in this species’ striking invasiveness and capacity to colonize new substrates.
bibliographic citation: Fidler et al. (2018) Efficient dispersal and substrate acquisition traits in a marine invasive species via transient chimerism and colony mobility. PeerJ 6:e5006 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5006
date submitted: 2018-03-08
date accepted: 2018-05-29
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Fidler
  given name: Andrew E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bacq-Labreuil
  given name: Aurelie
author list: Agent
  family name: Rachmilovitz
  given name: Elad
author list: Agent
  family name: Rinkevich
  given name: Baruch
doi: 10.7717/peerj.5006
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Fidler et al.
attribution name: Fidler et al.

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of immunomodulatory drugs on the action of antifungals against Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Candidemia and other forms of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida glabrata and to a lesser extent Saccharomyces cerevisiae are a serious health problem, especially if their steadily rising resistance to the limited range of antifungal drugs is taken into consideration. Various drug combinations are an attractive solution to the resistance problem, and some drug combinations are already common in the clinical environment due to the nature of diseases or therapies. We tested a few of the common antifungal-immunomodulatory drug combinations and evaluated their effect on selected strains of C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae. The combinations were performed using the checkerboard microdilution assay and interpreted using the Loewe additivity model and a model based on the Bliss independence criterion. A synergistic interaction was confirmed between calcineurin inhibitors (Fk506 and cyclosporine A) and antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B). A new antagonistic interaction between mycophenolic acid (MPA) and azole antifungals was discovered in non-resistant strains. A possible mechanism that explains this is induction of the Cdr1 efflux pump by MPA in C. glabrata ATCC 2001. The Pdr1 regulatory cascade plays a role in overall resistance to fluconazole, but it is not essential for the antagonistic interaction. This was confirmed by the Cgpdr1Δ mutant still displaying the antagonistic interaction between the drugs, although at lower concentrations of fluconazole. This antagonism calls into question the use of simultaneous therapy with MPA and azoles in the clinical environment.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Miha Tome
creator: Jure Zupan
creator: Zorica Tomičić
creator: Tadeja Matos
creator: Peter Raspor
subject: Microbiology
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4999
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Tome et al.
abstract: Candidemia and other forms of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida glabrata and to a lesser extent Saccharomyces cerevisiae are a serious health problem, especially if their steadily rising resistance to the limited range of antifungal drugs is taken into consideration. Various drug combinations are an attractive solution to the resistance problem, and some drug combinations are already common in the clinical environment due to the nature of diseases or therapies. We tested a few of the common antifungal-immunomodulatory drug combinations and evaluated their effect on selected strains of C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae. The combinations were performed using the checkerboard microdilution assay and interpreted using the Loewe additivity model and a model based on the Bliss independence criterion. A synergistic interaction was confirmed between calcineurin inhibitors (Fk506 and cyclosporine A) and antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B). A new antagonistic interaction between mycophenolic acid (MPA) and azole antifungals was discovered in non-resistant strains. A possible mechanism that explains this is induction of the Cdr1 efflux pump by MPA in C. glabrata ATCC 2001. The Pdr1 regulatory cascade plays a role in overall resistance to fluconazole, but it is not essential for the antagonistic interaction. This was confirmed by the Cgpdr1Δ mutant still displaying the antagonistic interaction between the drugs, although at lower concentrations of fluconazole. This antagonism calls into question the use of simultaneous therapy with MPA and azoles in the clinical environment.
bibliographic citation: Tome et al. (2018) Synergistic and antagonistic effects of immunomodulatory drugs on the action of antifungals against Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PeerJ 6:e4999 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4999
date submitted: 2018-02-13
date accepted: 2018-05-29
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tome
  given name: Miha
author list: Agent
  family name: Zupan
  given name: Jure
author list: Agent
  family name: Tomičić
  given name: Zorica
author list: Agent
  family name: Matos
  given name: Tadeja
author list: Agent
  family name: Raspor
  given name: Peter
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4999
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Tome et al.
attribution name: Tome et al.

Identifying the predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of overreaching and overtraining in physical education professionals
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background It is possible that physical education professionals, especially those who participate in aerobic activities, have predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of overreaching (OVR) and overtraining (OVT) due to a high load and volume of exercise followed by suboptimal recovery time. The present study aimed to identify the predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of OVR and OVT in physical education professionals. Methods A questionnaire consisting of 42 questions (10 questions group) about predisposing factors and signs/symptoms was answered by 132 physical education professionals from both sexes (83 men and 49 women) who were allocated into a resistance training group (RG, n = 74), aerobic training group (AG, n = 20) and resistance and aerobic training group (RAG, n = 38). A mean score was calculated ranging from 1 (completely absent) to 5 (severe) for each question group. A low occurrence of predisposing factors and signs and symptoms of OVR and OVT was considered to be a question group score 4 or lower. Profile of Mood State Questionnaire (POMS) was also applied. Results A mean score of 2.5 ± 0.7, 2.7 ± 0.7 and 2.7 ± 0.8 was found for all question groups for RG, AG and RAG, respectively. Of the total sample, 40.6% trained at least five times/week. The POMS revealed that 67.5% of the RG (n = 50), 80% of the AG (n = 16) and 60.5% of the RAG (n = 23) were classified as having no mood disorders and a standard graphic iceberg was presented. There were no statistical differences (p > 0.05) in the total mood disorders among RG (13.9 ± 24.5), AG (10.3 ± 25.1) and RAG (14.6 ± 27.9) groups. Conclusion Despite the volume of training/body working performed by the physical education professionals surveyed being greater than the recommended to achieve improvements on physical fitness, they did not show predisposing factors, signs or symptoms of OVR and OVT.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ricardo B. Viana
creator: Paulo Gentil
creator: Vinício S. Lorenço
creator: Carlos A. Vieira
creator: Mário H. Campos
creator: Douglas A.T. Santos
creator: Wellington F. Silva
creator: Marilia S. Andrade
creator: Rodrigo L. Vancini
creator: Claudio A.B. de Lira
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Global Health
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Translational Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4994
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Viana et al.
abstract: Background It is possible that physical education professionals, especially those who participate in aerobic activities, have predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of overreaching (OVR) and overtraining (OVT) due to a high load and volume of exercise followed by suboptimal recovery time. The present study aimed to identify the predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of OVR and OVT in physical education professionals. Methods A questionnaire consisting of 42 questions (10 questions group) about predisposing factors and signs/symptoms was answered by 132 physical education professionals from both sexes (83 men and 49 women) who were allocated into a resistance training group (RG, n = 74), aerobic training group (AG, n = 20) and resistance and aerobic training group (RAG, n = 38). A mean score was calculated ranging from 1 (completely absent) to 5 (severe) for each question group. A low occurrence of predisposing factors and signs and symptoms of OVR and OVT was considered to be a question group score 4 or lower. Profile of Mood State Questionnaire (POMS) was also applied. Results A mean score of 2.5 ± 0.7, 2.7 ± 0.7 and 2.7 ± 0.8 was found for all question groups for RG, AG and RAG, respectively. Of the total sample, 40.6% trained at least five times/week. The POMS revealed that 67.5% of the RG (n = 50), 80% of the AG (n = 16) and 60.5% of the RAG (n = 23) were classified as having no mood disorders and a standard graphic iceberg was presented. There were no statistical differences (p > 0.05) in the total mood disorders among RG (13.9 ± 24.5), AG (10.3 ± 25.1) and RAG (14.6 ± 27.9) groups. Conclusion Despite the volume of training/body working performed by the physical education professionals surveyed being greater than the recommended to achieve improvements on physical fitness, they did not show predisposing factors, signs or symptoms of OVR and OVT.
bibliographic citation: Viana et al. (2018) Identifying the predisposing factors, signs and symptoms of overreaching and overtraining in physical education professionals. PeerJ 6:e4994 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4994
date submitted: 2018-02-14
date accepted: 2018-05-28
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Viana
  given name: Ricardo B.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gentil
  given name: Paulo
author list: Agent
  family name: Lorenço
  given name: Vinício S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vieira
  given name: Carlos A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Campos
  given name: Mário H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Santos
  given name: Douglas A.T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Silva
  given name: Wellington F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Andrade
  given name: Marilia S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vancini
  given name: Rodrigo L.
author list: Agent
  family name: de Lira
  given name: Claudio A.B.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4994
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Viana et al.
attribution name: Viana et al.

Seasonal dynamics alter taxonomical and functional microbial profiles in Pampa biome soils under natural grasslands
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Soil microbial communities’ assembly is strongly tied to changes in temperature and moisture. Although microbial functional redundancy seems to overcome taxonomical composition changes, the sensitivity and resilience of soil microbial communities from subtropical regions in response to seasonal variations are still poorly understood. Thus, the development of new strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management require a complete understanding of the soil abiotic process involved in the selection of microbial taxa and functions. In this work, we used state of the art molecular methodologies (Next Generation Sequencing) to compare the taxonomic (metataxonomics) and functional (metatranscriptomics) profiles among soil samples from two subtropical natural grasslands located in the Pampa biome, Brazil, in response to short-term seasonal variations. Our data suggest that grasslands maintained a stable microbial community membership along the year with oscillation in abundance. Apparently soil microbial taxa are more susceptible to natural climatic disturbances while functions are more stable and change with less intensity along the year. Finally, our data allow us to conclude that the most abundant microbial groups and functions were shared between seasons and locations reflecting the existence of a stable taxonomical and functional core microbiota.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Anthony Diego Muller Barboza
creator: Victor Satler Pylro
creator: Rodrigo Josemar Seminot Jacques
creator: Paulo Ivonir Gubiani
creator: Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros
creator: Júlio Kuhn da Trindade
creator: Eric W. Triplett
creator: Luiz Roesch
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Ecology
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4991
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Barboza et al.
abstract: Soil microbial communities’ assembly is strongly tied to changes in temperature and moisture. Although microbial functional redundancy seems to overcome taxonomical composition changes, the sensitivity and resilience of soil microbial communities from subtropical regions in response to seasonal variations are still poorly understood. Thus, the development of new strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management require a complete understanding of the soil abiotic process involved in the selection of microbial taxa and functions. In this work, we used state of the art molecular methodologies (Next Generation Sequencing) to compare the taxonomic (metataxonomics) and functional (metatranscriptomics) profiles among soil samples from two subtropical natural grasslands located in the Pampa biome, Brazil, in response to short-term seasonal variations. Our data suggest that grasslands maintained a stable microbial community membership along the year with oscillation in abundance. Apparently soil microbial taxa are more susceptible to natural climatic disturbances while functions are more stable and change with less intensity along the year. Finally, our data allow us to conclude that the most abundant microbial groups and functions were shared between seasons and locations reflecting the existence of a stable taxonomical and functional core microbiota.
bibliographic citation: Barboza et al. (2018) Seasonal dynamics alter taxonomical and functional microbial profiles in Pampa biome soils under natural grasslands. PeerJ 6:e4991 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4991
date submitted: 2018-02-23
date accepted: 2018-05-27
issued: 2018-06-13
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Barboza
  given name: Anthony Diego Muller
author list: Agent
  family name: Pylro
  given name: Victor Satler
author list: Agent
  family name: Jacques
  given name: Rodrigo Josemar Seminot
author list: Agent
  family name: Gubiani
  given name: Paulo Ivonir
author list: Agent
  family name: de Quadros
  given name: Fernando Luiz Ferreira
author list: Agent
  family name: Trindade
  given name: Júlio Kuhn da
author list: Agent
  family name: Triplett
  given name: Eric W.
author list: Agent
  family name: Roesch
  given name: Luiz
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4991
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-06-13
copyright: ©2018 Barboza et al.
attribution name: Barboza et al.

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