PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Two new benthic Euphilomedes Kornicker, 1967 (Ostracoda, Myodocopida, Philomedidae) from the Taiwan Strait (East China Sea)
items: Evolutionary analysis of vision genes identifies potential drivers of visual differences between giraffe and okapi
items: Genomic comparisons of a bacterial lineage that inhabits both marine and terrestrial deep subsurface systems
items: Profiling transcriptomes of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to maleic acid
items: Non-native molluscan colonizers on deliberately placed shipwrecks in the Florida Keys, with description of a new species of potentially invasive worm-snail (Gastropoda: Vermetidae)
items: Effects of online group exercises for older adults on physical, psychological and social wellbeing: a randomized pilot trial
items: Comparative venom gland transcriptomics of Naja kaouthia (monocled cobra) from Malaysia and Thailand: elucidating geographical venom variation and insights into sequence novelty
items: Improving ancient DNA genome assembly
items: Sevoflurane postconditioning protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the JAK2–STAT3 pathway
items: Structuring effects of chemicals from the sea fan Phyllogorgia dilatata on benthic communities

Two new benthic Euphilomedes Kornicker, 1967 (Ostracoda, Myodocopida, Philomedidae) from the Taiwan Strait (East China Sea)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Ostracods are small bivalved crustaceans widely distributed in aquatic environments and in total 99 species have been recorded in genus Euphilomedes Kornicker, 1967. In this study, we further describe two new species of benthic ostracods in this genus, Euphilomedes liuruiyii sp. nov. and Euphilomedes pentacanthos sp. nov., collected from the Taiwan Strait in China. These two species can be easily distinguished from their congeners by some crucial morphological characteristics, including the carapace shape, the numbers of main and secondary furcal claws, and their arrangement of furcal claws. In addition the first antenna, endopod of second antenna, frontal organ, mandible and the seventh limb also differentiate these two species from related species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Peng Xiang
creator: Xiaoyin Chen
creator: Ruixiang Chen
creator: Jinghong Lin
creator: Yu Wang
creator: Youyin Ye
creator: Mao Lin
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3146
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Xiang et al.
abstract: Ostracods are small bivalved crustaceans widely distributed in aquatic environments and in total 99 species have been recorded in genus Euphilomedes Kornicker, 1967. In this study, we further describe two new species of benthic ostracods in this genus, Euphilomedes liuruiyii sp. nov. and Euphilomedes pentacanthos sp. nov., collected from the Taiwan Strait in China. These two species can be easily distinguished from their congeners by some crucial morphological characteristics, including the carapace shape, the numbers of main and secondary furcal claws, and their arrangement of furcal claws. In addition the first antenna, endopod of second antenna, frontal organ, mandible and the seventh limb also differentiate these two species from related species.
bibliographic citation: Xiang et al. (2017) Two new benthic Euphilomedes Kornicker, 1967 (Ostracoda, Myodocopida, Philomedidae) from the Taiwan Strait (East China Sea). PeerJ 5:e3146 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3146
date submitted: 2016-08-10
date accepted: 2017-03-05
issued: 2017-04-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiang
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiaoyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Ruixiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Jinghong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Youyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Mao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3146
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-06
copyright: © 2017 Xiang et al.
attribution name: Xiang et al.

Evolutionary analysis of vision genes identifies potential drivers of visual differences between giraffe and okapi
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The capacity of visually oriented species to perceive and respond to visual signal is integral to their evolutionary success. Giraffes are closely related to okapi, but the two species have broad range of phenotypic differences including their visual capacities. Vision studies rank giraffe’s visual acuity higher than all other artiodactyls despite sharing similar vision ecological determinants with many of them. The extent to which the giraffe’s unique visual capacity and its difference with okapi is reflected by changes in their vision genes is not understood. Methods The recent availability of giraffe and okapi genomes provided opportunity to identify giraffe and okapi vision genes. Multiple strategies were employed to identify thirty-six candidate mammalian vision genes in giraffe and okapi genomes. Quantification of selection pressure was performed by a combination of branch-site tests of positive selection and clade models of selection divergence through comparing giraffe and okapi vision genes and orthologous sequences from other mammals. Results Signatures of selection were identified in key genes that could potentially underlie giraffe and okapi visual adaptations. Importantly, some genes that contribute to optical transparency of the eye and those that are critical in light signaling pathway were found to show signatures of adaptive evolution or selection divergence. Comparison between giraffe and other ruminants identifies significant selection divergence in CRYAA and OPN1LW. Significant selection divergence was identified in SAG while positive selection was detected in LUM when okapi is compared with ruminants and other mammals. Sequence analysis of OPN1LW showed that at least one of the sites known to affect spectral sensitivity of the red pigment is uniquely divergent between giraffe and other ruminants. Discussion By taking a systemic approach to gene function in vision, the results provide the first molecular clues associated with giraffe a…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Edson Ishengoma
creator: Morris Agaba
creator: Douglas R. Cavener
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Genomics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3145
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Ishengoma et al.
abstract: Background The capacity of visually oriented species to perceive and respond to visual signal is integral to their evolutionary success. Giraffes are closely related to okapi, but the two species have broad range of phenotypic differences including their visual capacities. Vision studies rank giraffe’s visual acuity higher than all other artiodactyls despite sharing similar vision ecological determinants with many of them. The extent to which the giraffe’s unique visual capacity and its difference with okapi is reflected by changes in their vision genes is not understood. Methods The recent availability of giraffe and okapi genomes provided opportunity to identify giraffe and okapi vision genes. Multiple strategies were employed to identify thirty-six candidate mammalian vision genes in giraffe and okapi genomes. Quantification of selection pressure was performed by a combination of branch-site tests of positive selection and clade models of selection divergence through comparing giraffe and okapi vision genes and orthologous sequences from other mammals. Results Signatures of selection were identified in key genes that could potentially underlie giraffe and okapi visual adaptations. Importantly, some genes that contribute to optical transparency of the eye and those that are critical in light signaling pathway were found to show signatures of adaptive evolution or selection divergence. Comparison between giraffe and other ruminants identifies significant selection divergence in CRYAA and OPN1LW. Significant selection divergence was identified in SAG while positive selection was detected in LUM when okapi is compared with ruminants and other mammals. Sequence analysis of OPN1LW showed that at least one of the sites known to affect spectral sensitivity of the red pigment is uniquely divergent between giraffe and other ruminants. Discussion By taking a systemic approach to gene function in vision, the results provide the first molecular clues associated with giraffe a…
bibliographic citation: Ishengoma et al. (2017) Evolutionary analysis of vision genes identifies potential drivers of visual differences between giraffe and okapi. PeerJ 5:e3145 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3145
date submitted: 2016-09-13
date accepted: 2017-03-04
issued: 2017-04-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ishengoma
  given name: Edson
author list: Agent
  family name: Agaba
  given name: Morris
author list: Agent
  family name: Cavener
  given name: Douglas R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3145
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-06
copyright: ©2017 Ishengoma et al.
attribution name: Ishengoma et al.

Genomic comparisons of a bacterial lineage that inhabits both marine and terrestrial deep subsurface systems
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: It is generally accepted that diverse, poorly characterized microorganisms reside deep within Earth’s crust. One such lineage of deep subsurface-dwelling bacteria is an uncultivated member of the Firmicutes phylum that can dominate molecular surveys from both marine and continental rock fracture fluids, sometimes forming the sole member of a single-species microbiome. Here, we reconstructed a genome from basalt-hosted fluids of the deep subseafloor along the eastern Juan de Fuca Ridge flank and used a phylogenomic analysis to show that, despite vast differences in geographic origin and habitat, it forms a monophyletic clade with the terrestrial deep subsurface genome of “Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator” MP104C. While a limited number of differences were observed between the marine genome of “Candidatus Desulfopertinax cowenii” modA32 and its terrestrial relative that may be of potential adaptive importance, here it is revealed that the two are remarkably similar thermophiles possessing the genetic capacity for motility, sporulation, hydrogenotrophy, chemoorganotrophy, dissimilatory sulfate reduction, and the ability to fix inorganic carbon via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for chemoautotrophic growth. Our results provide insights into the genetic repertoire within marine and terrestrial members of a bacterial lineage that is widespread in the global deep subsurface biosphere, and provides a natural means to investigate adaptations specific to these two environments.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sean P. Jungbluth
creator: Tijana Glavina del Rio
creator: Susannah G. Tringe
creator: Ramunas Stepanauskas
creator: Michael S. Rappé
subject: Ecology
subject: Genomics
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3134
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Jungbluth et al.
abstract: It is generally accepted that diverse, poorly characterized microorganisms reside deep within Earth’s crust. One such lineage of deep subsurface-dwelling bacteria is an uncultivated member of the Firmicutes phylum that can dominate molecular surveys from both marine and continental rock fracture fluids, sometimes forming the sole member of a single-species microbiome. Here, we reconstructed a genome from basalt-hosted fluids of the deep subseafloor along the eastern Juan de Fuca Ridge flank and used a phylogenomic analysis to show that, despite vast differences in geographic origin and habitat, it forms a monophyletic clade with the terrestrial deep subsurface genome of “Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator” MP104C. While a limited number of differences were observed between the marine genome of “Candidatus Desulfopertinax cowenii” modA32 and its terrestrial relative that may be of potential adaptive importance, here it is revealed that the two are remarkably similar thermophiles possessing the genetic capacity for motility, sporulation, hydrogenotrophy, chemoorganotrophy, dissimilatory sulfate reduction, and the ability to fix inorganic carbon via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for chemoautotrophic growth. Our results provide insights into the genetic repertoire within marine and terrestrial members of a bacterial lineage that is widespread in the global deep subsurface biosphere, and provides a natural means to investigate adaptations specific to these two environments.
bibliographic citation: Jungbluth et al. (2017) Genomic comparisons of a bacterial lineage that inhabits both marine and terrestrial deep subsurface systems. PeerJ 5:e3134 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3134
date submitted: 2016-11-13
date accepted: 2017-03-01
issued: 2017-04-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jungbluth
  given name: Sean P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Glavina del Rio
  given name: Tijana
author list: Agent
  family name: Tringe
  given name: Susannah G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Stepanauskas
  given name: Ramunas
author list: Agent
  family name: Rappé
  given name: Michael S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3134
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-06
copyright: ©2017 Jungbluth et al.
attribution name: Jungbluth et al.

Profiling transcriptomes of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to maleic acid
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Maleic acid is a multi-functional chemical widely used in the field of industrial chemistry for producing food additives and food contact materials. As maleic acid may contaminate food by the release from food packages or intentional addition, it raises the concern about the effects of excessive dietary exposure to maleic acid on human health. However, the influence of maleic acid on human health has not been thoroughly studied. In silico toxicogenomics approaches have found the association between maleic acid and nervous system disease in human. The aim of this study is to experimentally explore the effects of maleic acid on human neuronal cells. Methods A microarray-based transcriptome profiling was performed to offer a better understanding of the effects of maleic acid on human health. Gene expression profiles of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to three concentrations of maleic acid (10, 50, and 100 μM) for 24 h were analyzed. Genes which were differentially expressed in dose-dependent manners were identified and further analyzed with an enrichment analysis. The expression profile of selected genes related to the inferred functional changes was validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Specific fluorescence probes were applied to observe the inferred functional changes in maleic acid-treated neuronal cells. Results A total of 316 differentially expressed genes (141 upregulated and 175 downregulated) were identified in response to the treatment of maleic acid. The enrichment analysis showed that DNA binding and metal ion binding were the significant molecular functions (MFs) of the neuronal cells affected by maleic acid. Maleic acid exposure decreased the expression of genes associated with calcium and thiol levels of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of intracellular calcium and thiol levels were also affected by maleic acid dose-dependent. Discussion The exposure to maleic acid is found to decrease the cel…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chia-Chi Wang
creator: Yin-Chi Lin
creator: Yin-Hua Cheng
creator: Chun-Wei Tung
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Genomics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3175
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Wang et al.
abstract: Background Maleic acid is a multi-functional chemical widely used in the field of industrial chemistry for producing food additives and food contact materials. As maleic acid may contaminate food by the release from food packages or intentional addition, it raises the concern about the effects of excessive dietary exposure to maleic acid on human health. However, the influence of maleic acid on human health has not been thoroughly studied. In silico toxicogenomics approaches have found the association between maleic acid and nervous system disease in human. The aim of this study is to experimentally explore the effects of maleic acid on human neuronal cells. Methods A microarray-based transcriptome profiling was performed to offer a better understanding of the effects of maleic acid on human health. Gene expression profiles of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to three concentrations of maleic acid (10, 50, and 100 μM) for 24 h were analyzed. Genes which were differentially expressed in dose-dependent manners were identified and further analyzed with an enrichment analysis. The expression profile of selected genes related to the inferred functional changes was validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Specific fluorescence probes were applied to observe the inferred functional changes in maleic acid-treated neuronal cells. Results A total of 316 differentially expressed genes (141 upregulated and 175 downregulated) were identified in response to the treatment of maleic acid. The enrichment analysis showed that DNA binding and metal ion binding were the significant molecular functions (MFs) of the neuronal cells affected by maleic acid. Maleic acid exposure decreased the expression of genes associated with calcium and thiol levels of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of intracellular calcium and thiol levels were also affected by maleic acid dose-dependent. Discussion The exposure to maleic acid is found to decrease the cel…
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2017) Profiling transcriptomes of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to maleic acid. PeerJ 5:e3175 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3175
date submitted: 2016-10-06
date accepted: 2017-03-13
issued: 2017-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Chia-Chi
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Yin-Chi
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Yin-Hua
author list: Agent
  family name: Tung
  given name: Chun-Wei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3175
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-05
copyright: © 2017 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Non-native molluscan colonizers on deliberately placed shipwrecks in the Florida Keys, with description of a new species of potentially invasive worm-snail (Gastropoda: Vermetidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Artificial reefs created by deliberately sinking ships off the coast of the Florida Keys island chain are providing new habitat for marine invertebrates. This newly developing fouling community includes the previously reported invasive orange tube coral Tubastraea coccinea and the non-native giant foam oyster Hyotissa hyotis. New SCUBA-based surveys involving five shipwrecks spanning the upper, middle, and lower Florida Keys, show T. coccinea now also established in the lower Keys and H. hyotis likewise extending to new sites. Two additional mollusks found on the artificial reefs, the amathinid gastropod Cyclothyca pacei and gryphaeid oyster Hyotissa mcgintyi, the latter also common in the natural reef areas, are discussed as potentially non-native. A new species of sessile, suspension-feeding, worm-snail, Thylacodes vandyensis Bieler, Rawlings & Collins n. sp. (Vermetidae), is described from the wreck of the USNS Vandenberg off Key West and discussed as potentially invasive. This new species is compared morphologically and by DNA barcode markers to other known members of the genus, and may be a recent arrival from the Pacific Ocean. Thylacodes vandyensis is polychromatic, with individuals varying in both overall head-foot coloration and mantle margin color pattern. Females brood stalked egg capsules attached to their shell within the confines of their mantle cavity, and give rise to crawl-away juveniles. Such direct-developing species have the demonstrated capacity for colonizing habitats isolated far from their native ranges and establishing rapidly growing founder populations. Vermetid gastropods are common components of the marine fouling community in warm temperate and tropical waters and, as such, have been tagged as potentially invasive or with a high potential to be invasive in the Pacific Ocean. As vermetids can influence coral growth/composition in the Pacific and have been reported serving as intermediate hosts for blood flukes of loggerhead turtles, such…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rüdiger Bieler
creator: Camila Granados-Cifuentes
creator: Timothy A. Rawlings
creator: Petra Sierwald
creator: Timothy M. Collins
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3158
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Bieler et al.
abstract: Artificial reefs created by deliberately sinking ships off the coast of the Florida Keys island chain are providing new habitat for marine invertebrates. This newly developing fouling community includes the previously reported invasive orange tube coral Tubastraea coccinea and the non-native giant foam oyster Hyotissa hyotis. New SCUBA-based surveys involving five shipwrecks spanning the upper, middle, and lower Florida Keys, show T. coccinea now also established in the lower Keys and H. hyotis likewise extending to new sites. Two additional mollusks found on the artificial reefs, the amathinid gastropod Cyclothyca pacei and gryphaeid oyster Hyotissa mcgintyi, the latter also common in the natural reef areas, are discussed as potentially non-native. A new species of sessile, suspension-feeding, worm-snail, Thylacodes vandyensis Bieler, Rawlings & Collins n. sp. (Vermetidae), is described from the wreck of the USNS Vandenberg off Key West and discussed as potentially invasive. This new species is compared morphologically and by DNA barcode markers to other known members of the genus, and may be a recent arrival from the Pacific Ocean. Thylacodes vandyensis is polychromatic, with individuals varying in both overall head-foot coloration and mantle margin color pattern. Females brood stalked egg capsules attached to their shell within the confines of their mantle cavity, and give rise to crawl-away juveniles. Such direct-developing species have the demonstrated capacity for colonizing habitats isolated far from their native ranges and establishing rapidly growing founder populations. Vermetid gastropods are common components of the marine fouling community in warm temperate and tropical waters and, as such, have been tagged as potentially invasive or with a high potential to be invasive in the Pacific Ocean. As vermetids can influence coral growth/composition in the Pacific and have been reported serving as intermediate hosts for blood flukes of loggerhead turtles, such…
bibliographic citation: Bieler et al. (2017) Non-native molluscan colonizers on deliberately placed shipwrecks in the Florida Keys, with description of a new species of potentially invasive worm-snail (Gastropoda: Vermetidae). PeerJ 5:e3158 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3158
date submitted: 2017-02-10
date accepted: 2017-03-07
issued: 2017-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bieler
  given name: Rüdiger
author list: Agent
  family name: Granados-Cifuentes
  given name: Camila
author list: Agent
  family name: Rawlings
  given name: Timothy A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sierwald
  given name: Petra
author list: Agent
  family name: Collins
  given name: Timothy M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3158
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-05
copyright: ©2017 Bieler et al.
attribution name: Bieler et al.

Effects of online group exercises for older adults on physical, psychological and social wellbeing: a randomized pilot trial
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Intervention programs to promote physical activity in older adults, either in group or home settings, have shown equivalent health outcomes but different results when considering adherence. Group-based interventions seem to achieve higher participation in the long-term. However, there are many factors that can make of group exercises a challenging setting for older adults. A major one, due to the heterogeneity of this particular population, is the difference in the level of skills. In this paper we report on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes of a technology-based intervention that enable online group exercises in older adults with different levels of skills. Methods A total of 37 older adults between 65 and 87 years old followed a personalized exercise program based on the OTAGO program for fall prevention, for a period of eight weeks. Participants could join online group exercises using a tablet-based application. Participants were assigned either to the Control group, representing the traditional individual home-based training program, or the Social group, representing the online group exercising. Pre- and post- measurements were taken to analyze the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes. Results After the eight-weeks training program there were improvements in both the Social and Control groups in terms of physical outcomes, given the high level of adherence of both groups. Considering the baseline measures, however, the results suggest that while in the Control group fitter individuals tended to adhere more to the training, this was not the case for the Social group, where the initial level had no effect on adherence. For psychological outcomes there were improvements on both groups, regardless of the application used. There was no significant difference between groups in social wellbeing outcomes, both groups seeing a decrease in loneliness despite the presence of social features in the Social group. However, o…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marcos Baez
creator: Iman Khaghani Far
creator: Francisco Ibarra
creator: Michela Ferron
creator: Daniele Didino
creator: Fabio Casati
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Public Health
subject: Human-Computer Interaction
subject: Computational Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3150
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Baez et al.
abstract: Background Intervention programs to promote physical activity in older adults, either in group or home settings, have shown equivalent health outcomes but different results when considering adherence. Group-based interventions seem to achieve higher participation in the long-term. However, there are many factors that can make of group exercises a challenging setting for older adults. A major one, due to the heterogeneity of this particular population, is the difference in the level of skills. In this paper we report on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes of a technology-based intervention that enable online group exercises in older adults with different levels of skills. Methods A total of 37 older adults between 65 and 87 years old followed a personalized exercise program based on the OTAGO program for fall prevention, for a period of eight weeks. Participants could join online group exercises using a tablet-based application. Participants were assigned either to the Control group, representing the traditional individual home-based training program, or the Social group, representing the online group exercising. Pre- and post- measurements were taken to analyze the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes. Results After the eight-weeks training program there were improvements in both the Social and Control groups in terms of physical outcomes, given the high level of adherence of both groups. Considering the baseline measures, however, the results suggest that while in the Control group fitter individuals tended to adhere more to the training, this was not the case for the Social group, where the initial level had no effect on adherence. For psychological outcomes there were improvements on both groups, regardless of the application used. There was no significant difference between groups in social wellbeing outcomes, both groups seeing a decrease in loneliness despite the presence of social features in the Social group. However, o…
bibliographic citation: Baez et al. (2017) Effects of online group exercises for older adults on physical, psychological and social wellbeing: a randomized pilot trial. PeerJ 5:e3150 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3150
date submitted: 2016-11-15
date accepted: 2017-03-06
issued: 2017-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Baez
  given name: Marcos
author list: Agent
  family name: Khaghani Far
  given name: Iman
author list: Agent
  family name: Ibarra
  given name: Francisco
author list: Agent
  family name: Ferron
  given name: Michela
author list: Agent
  family name: Didino
  given name: Daniele
author list: Agent
  family name: Casati
  given name: Fabio
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3150
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-05
copyright: ©2017 Baez et al.
attribution name: Baez et al.

Comparative venom gland transcriptomics of Naja kaouthia (monocled cobra) from Malaysia and Thailand: elucidating geographical venom variation and insights into sequence novelty
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) is a medically important venomous snake in Southeast Asia. Its venom has been shown to vary geographically in relation to venom composition and neurotoxic activity, indicating vast diversity of the toxin genes within the species. To investigate the polygenic trait of the venom and its locale-specific variation, we profiled and compared the venom gland transcriptomes of N. kaouthia from Malaysia (NK-M) and Thailand (NK-T) applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Methods The transcriptomes were sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform, assembled and followed by transcript clustering and annotations for gene expression and function. Pairwise or multiple sequence alignments were conducted on the toxin genes expressed. Substitution rates were studied for the major toxins co-expressed in NK-M and NK-T. Results and discussion The toxin transcripts showed high redundancy (41–82% of the total mRNA expression) and comprised 23 gene families expressed in NK-M and NK-T, respectively (22 gene families were co-expressed). Among the venom genes, three-finger toxins (3FTxs) predominated in the expression, with multiple sequences noted. Comparative analysis and selection study revealed that 3FTxs are genetically conserved between the geographical specimens whilst demonstrating distinct differential expression patterns, implying gene up-regulation for selected principal toxins, or alternatively, enhanced transcript degradation or lack of transcription of certain traits. One of the striking features that elucidates the inter-geographical venom variation is the up-regulation of α-neurotoxins (constitutes ∼80.0% of toxin’s fragments per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads (FPKM)), particularly the long-chain α-elapitoxin-Nk2a (48.3%) in NK-T but only 1.7% was noted in NK-M. Instead, short neurotoxin isoforms were up-regulated in NK-M (46.4%). Another distinct transcriptional pattern observed is the exclusively and ab…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kae Yi Tan
creator: Choo Hock Tan
creator: Lawan Chanhome
creator: Nget Hong Tan
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Toxicology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3142
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Tan et al.
abstract: Background The monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) is a medically important venomous snake in Southeast Asia. Its venom has been shown to vary geographically in relation to venom composition and neurotoxic activity, indicating vast diversity of the toxin genes within the species. To investigate the polygenic trait of the venom and its locale-specific variation, we profiled and compared the venom gland transcriptomes of N. kaouthia from Malaysia (NK-M) and Thailand (NK-T) applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Methods The transcriptomes were sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform, assembled and followed by transcript clustering and annotations for gene expression and function. Pairwise or multiple sequence alignments were conducted on the toxin genes expressed. Substitution rates were studied for the major toxins co-expressed in NK-M and NK-T. Results and discussion The toxin transcripts showed high redundancy (41–82% of the total mRNA expression) and comprised 23 gene families expressed in NK-M and NK-T, respectively (22 gene families were co-expressed). Among the venom genes, three-finger toxins (3FTxs) predominated in the expression, with multiple sequences noted. Comparative analysis and selection study revealed that 3FTxs are genetically conserved between the geographical specimens whilst demonstrating distinct differential expression patterns, implying gene up-regulation for selected principal toxins, or alternatively, enhanced transcript degradation or lack of transcription of certain traits. One of the striking features that elucidates the inter-geographical venom variation is the up-regulation of α-neurotoxins (constitutes ∼80.0% of toxin’s fragments per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads (FPKM)), particularly the long-chain α-elapitoxin-Nk2a (48.3%) in NK-T but only 1.7% was noted in NK-M. Instead, short neurotoxin isoforms were up-regulated in NK-M (46.4%). Another distinct transcriptional pattern observed is the exclusively and ab…
bibliographic citation: Tan et al. (2017) Comparative venom gland transcriptomics of Naja kaouthia (monocled cobra) from Malaysia and Thailand: elucidating geographical venom variation and insights into sequence novelty. PeerJ 5:e3142 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3142
date submitted: 2016-10-03
date accepted: 2017-03-03
issued: 2017-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Kae Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Choo Hock
author list: Agent
  family name: Chanhome
  given name: Lawan
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Nget Hong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3142
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-05
copyright: © 2017 Tan et al.
attribution name: Tan et al.

Improving ancient DNA genome assembly
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Most reconstruction methods for genomes of ancient origin that are used today require a closely related reference. In order to identify genomic rearrangements or the deletion of whole genes, de novo assembly has to be used. However, because of inherent problems with ancient DNA, its de novo assembly is highly complicated. In order to tackle the diversity in the length of the input reads, we propose a two-layer approach, where multiple assemblies are generated in the first layer, which are then combined in the second layer. We used this two-layer assembly to generate assemblies for two different ancient samples and compared the results to current de novo assembly approaches. We are able to improve the assembly with respect to the length of the contigs and can resolve more repetitive regions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alexander Seitz
creator: Kay Nieselt
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Paleontology
subject: Computational Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3126
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Seitz and Nieselt
abstract: Most reconstruction methods for genomes of ancient origin that are used today require a closely related reference. In order to identify genomic rearrangements or the deletion of whole genes, de novo assembly has to be used. However, because of inherent problems with ancient DNA, its de novo assembly is highly complicated. In order to tackle the diversity in the length of the input reads, we propose a two-layer approach, where multiple assemblies are generated in the first layer, which are then combined in the second layer. We used this two-layer assembly to generate assemblies for two different ancient samples and compared the results to current de novo assembly approaches. We are able to improve the assembly with respect to the length of the contigs and can resolve more repetitive regions.
bibliographic citation: Seitz et al. (2017) Improving ancient DNA genome assembly. PeerJ 5:e3126 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3126
date submitted: 2016-09-20
date accepted: 2017-02-27
issued: 2017-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Seitz
  given name: Alexander
author list: Agent
  family name: Nieselt
  given name: Kay
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3126
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-05
copyright: ©2017 Seitz and Nieselt
attribution name: Seitz and Nieselt

Sevoflurane postconditioning protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the JAK2–STAT3 pathway
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Sevoflurane postconditioning (S-post) has similar cardioprotective effects as ischemic preconditioning. However, the underlying mechanism of S-post has not been fully elucidated. Janus kinase signaling transduction/transcription activator (JAK2–STAT3) plays an important role in cardioprotection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with activation of the JAK2–STAT3 signal pathway. Methods An adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was established using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. At the beginning of reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane alone or in combination with AG490 (a JAK2 selective inhibitor) was used as a postconditioning treatment. The cardiac function indicators, myocardial infarct size, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release, mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation rates, ATP content, protein expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured. Results Compared with the I/R group, S-post significantly increased the expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3 and Bcl-2 and reduced the protein expression of Bax, which markedly decreased the myocardial infarction areas, improved the cardiac function indicators and the mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreased the mitochondrial ROS and increased the ATP content. However, the cardioprotective effects of S-post were abolished by treatment with a JAK2 selective inhibitor (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with the activation of JAK2–STAT3. The mechanism may be related to an increased expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 after S-post, which reduced mitochondrial ROS generation and increased mitochondrial ATP content, thereby reducing apoptosis and myocardial infarct size.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jianjiang Wu
creator: Jin Yu
creator: Peng Xie
creator: Yiliyaer Maimaitili
creator: Jiang Wang
creator: Long Yang
creator: Haiping Ma
creator: Xing Zhang
creator: Yining Yang
creator: Hong Zheng
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Cardiology
subject: Translational Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3196
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Wu et al.
abstract: Background Sevoflurane postconditioning (S-post) has similar cardioprotective effects as ischemic preconditioning. However, the underlying mechanism of S-post has not been fully elucidated. Janus kinase signaling transduction/transcription activator (JAK2–STAT3) plays an important role in cardioprotection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with activation of the JAK2–STAT3 signal pathway. Methods An adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was established using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. At the beginning of reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane alone or in combination with AG490 (a JAK2 selective inhibitor) was used as a postconditioning treatment. The cardiac function indicators, myocardial infarct size, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release, mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation rates, ATP content, protein expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured. Results Compared with the I/R group, S-post significantly increased the expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3 and Bcl-2 and reduced the protein expression of Bax, which markedly decreased the myocardial infarction areas, improved the cardiac function indicators and the mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreased the mitochondrial ROS and increased the ATP content. However, the cardioprotective effects of S-post were abolished by treatment with a JAK2 selective inhibitor (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with the activation of JAK2–STAT3. The mechanism may be related to an increased expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 after S-post, which reduced mitochondrial ROS generation and increased mitochondrial ATP content, thereby reducing apoptosis and myocardial infarct size.
bibliographic citation: Wu et al. (2017) Sevoflurane postconditioning protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the JAK2–STAT3 pathway. PeerJ 5:e3196 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3196
date submitted: 2016-12-21
date accepted: 2017-03-17
issued: 2017-04-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Jianjiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Jin
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Maimaitili
  given name: Yiliyaer
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Long
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Haiping
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Xing
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Yining
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Hong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3196
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-04
copyright: © 2017 Wu et al.
attribution name: Wu et al.

Structuring effects of chemicals from the sea fan Phyllogorgia dilatata on benthic communities
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Despite advances in understanding the ecological functions of secondary metabolites from marine organisms, there has been little focus on the influence of chemically-defended species at the community level. Several compounds have been isolated from the gorgonian octocoral Phyllogorgia dilatata, a conspicuous species that forms dense canopies on rocky reefs of northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Manipulative experiments were performed to study: (1) the effects of live colonies of P. dilatata (physical presence and chemistry) on recruitment of sympatric benthic organisms; (2) the allelopathic effects of its chemicals on competitors; and (3) chemotactic responses of the non-indigenous brittle star, Ophiothela mirabilis. Early establishment of benthic species was influenced on substrates around live P. dilatata colonies and some effects could be attributed to the gorgonian’s secondary metabolites.In addition, the gorgonian chemicals also exerted an allelopathic effect on the sympatric zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum, and positive chemotaxis upon O. mirabilis. These results indicate multiple ecological roles of a chemically-defended gorgonian on settlement, sympatric competitors, and non-indigenous species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Felipe V. Ribeiro
creator: Bernardo A.P. da Gama
creator: Renato C. Pereira
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.3186
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2017 Ribeiro et al.
abstract: Despite advances in understanding the ecological functions of secondary metabolites from marine organisms, there has been little focus on the influence of chemically-defended species at the community level. Several compounds have been isolated from the gorgonian octocoral Phyllogorgia dilatata, a conspicuous species that forms dense canopies on rocky reefs of northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Manipulative experiments were performed to study: (1) the effects of live colonies of P. dilatata (physical presence and chemistry) on recruitment of sympatric benthic organisms; (2) the allelopathic effects of its chemicals on competitors; and (3) chemotactic responses of the non-indigenous brittle star, Ophiothela mirabilis. Early establishment of benthic species was influenced on substrates around live P. dilatata colonies and some effects could be attributed to the gorgonian’s secondary metabolites.In addition, the gorgonian chemicals also exerted an allelopathic effect on the sympatric zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum, and positive chemotaxis upon O. mirabilis. These results indicate multiple ecological roles of a chemically-defended gorgonian on settlement, sympatric competitors, and non-indigenous species.
bibliographic citation: Ribeiro et al. (2017) Structuring effects of chemicals from the sea fan Phyllogorgia dilatata on benthic communities. PeerJ 5:e3186 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3186
date submitted: 2016-11-14
date accepted: 2017-03-15
issued: 2017-04-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ribeiro
  given name: Felipe V.
author list: Agent
  family name: da Gama
  given name: Bernardo A.P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Pereira
  given name: Renato C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.3186
volume: 5
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2017-04-04
copyright: ©2017 Ribeiro et al.
attribution name: Ribeiro et al.

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