PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Effect of donor GSTM3 rs7483 genetic variant on tacrolimus elimination in the early period after liver transplantation
items: Association between plain ropivacaine dose and spinal hypotension for cesarean delivery: a retrospective study
items: The effects of livestock grazing on physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of perlite-rich soil
items: A classification system for identifying persons with an unknown cardiovascular disease (CVD) status for a multiracial/ ethnic Caribbean population
items: Muscle synergies during the walk-run and run-walk transitions
items: Ecological features and insecticide resistance of Aedes albopictus in Xi’an, a high-risk dengue transmission area in China
items: Identifying a cis-element in PtoCP1 promoter for efficiently controlling constitutive gene expression in Populus tomentosa
items: Ecological and taxonomic dissimilarity in species and higher taxa of reptiles in western Mexico
items: Spatiotemporal gait characteristics post-total hip arthroplasty and its impact on locomotive syndrome: a before-after comparative study in hip osteoarthritis patients
items: The mitochondrial genome sequences of eleven leafhopper species of Batracomorphus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) reveal new gene rearrangements and phylogenetic implications

Effect of donor GSTM3 rs7483 genetic variant on tacrolimus elimination in the early period after liver transplantation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose Glutathione S-transferase mu (GSTM) belongs to the group of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, and the GSTM1 genetic variant has been reported to have a potential association with the metabolism of immunosuppressive drug after renal transplantation. The effect of donor and recipient GSTMs genetic variants on tacrolimus (Tac) metabolism was the focus of our investigation in this study. Methods A total of 203 liver transplant patients were recruited for the study. In the training set (n = 110), twenty-one SNPs in five genes (GSTM1-5) were genotyped by the drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporter (DMET) microarray. CYP3A5 rs776746 and GSTM3 rs7483 were genotyped using a Mass ARRAY platform in the validating set (n = 93). Results Tac C/D ratios of donor GSTM3 rs7483 AA carriers were significantly lower than those with the G allele at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 after liver transplantation (LT). Multivariate analysis was conducted on the training set and validating set, donor and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746, donor GSTM3 rs7483 and total bilirubin were identified as independent predictors of Tac C/D ratios in the early period after LT. Combining CYP3A5 rs776746 and donor GSTM3 rs7483 genotypes, Tac C/D ratios were observed to be increasingly lower with increasing numbers of alleles associated with fast metabolism. Moreover, the risk of a supratherapeutic C0 (Tac > 15 ug/L) was significantly higher for poor metabolizers than the other groups at week 1 after LT. Conclusions There was a significant association between the donor GSTM3 rs7483 genetic variant and Tac metabolism in the early period after LT. Genotype classification might have a better predictive ability of the initial Tac doses.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tao Zhang
creator: Xiaorong Chen
creator: Yuan Liu
creator: Lei Zhang
subject: Genetics
subject: Genomics
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18360
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhang et al.
abstract: Purpose Glutathione S-transferase mu (GSTM) belongs to the group of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, and the GSTM1 genetic variant has been reported to have a potential association with the metabolism of immunosuppressive drug after renal transplantation. The effect of donor and recipient GSTMs genetic variants on tacrolimus (Tac) metabolism was the focus of our investigation in this study. Methods A total of 203 liver transplant patients were recruited for the study. In the training set (n = 110), twenty-one SNPs in five genes (GSTM1-5) were genotyped by the drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporter (DMET) microarray. CYP3A5 rs776746 and GSTM3 rs7483 were genotyped using a Mass ARRAY platform in the validating set (n = 93). Results Tac C/D ratios of donor GSTM3 rs7483 AA carriers were significantly lower than those with the G allele at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 after liver transplantation (LT). Multivariate analysis was conducted on the training set and validating set, donor and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746, donor GSTM3 rs7483 and total bilirubin were identified as independent predictors of Tac C/D ratios in the early period after LT. Combining CYP3A5 rs776746 and donor GSTM3 rs7483 genotypes, Tac C/D ratios were observed to be increasingly lower with increasing numbers of alleles associated with fast metabolism. Moreover, the risk of a supratherapeutic C0 (Tac > 15 ug/L) was significantly higher for poor metabolizers than the other groups at week 1 after LT. Conclusions There was a significant association between the donor GSTM3 rs7483 genetic variant and Tac metabolism in the early period after LT. Genotype classification might have a better predictive ability of the initial Tac doses.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2024) Effect of donor GSTM3 rs7483 genetic variant on tacrolimus elimination in the early period after liver transplantation. PeerJ 12:e18360 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18360
date submitted: 2024-05-28
date accepted: 2024-09-29
issued: 2024-10-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiaorong
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18360
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-23
copyright: ©2024 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Association between plain ropivacaine dose and spinal hypotension for cesarean delivery: a retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Data on the association between the plain ropivacaine dose and maternal hypotension during cesarean delivery are limited. Thus, this study aimed to explore this association. Methods This retrospective study included patients undergoing cesarean sections under spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with plain ropivacaine at The First Hospital of Fuyang, Hangzhou, China, between 2018 and 2022. Data were obtained from the anesthesia information management system. Liner trend tests were used to distinguish the linear relationship between spinal hypotension and the plain ropivacaine dose, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to calculate the dose threshold. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the stability of the results. The secondary outcome was vasopressor use (metaraminol and ephedrine). Results In total, 1,219 women were included. The incidence of hypotension linearly correlated with the plain ropivacaine dose (adjusted P-value for trend, P < 0.001). Thus, we used a dose threshold of 17.5 mg to compare the dose as a binary variable (≥17.5 mg vs. < 17.5 mg). Plain ropivacaine doses of ≥17.5 mg were associated with a higher incidence of spinal hypotension (adjusted odds ratio: 2.71; 95% confidence interval [1.85–3.95]; P < 0.001). The sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. The plain ropivacaine dose also correlated with metaraminol use but not ephedrine use. Conclusions The incidence of spinal-induced hypotension in women undergoing cesarean section linearly correlated with the plain ropivacaine dose. The dose threshold for hypotension risk was 17.5 mg.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Min Li
creator: Guohao Xie
creator: Lihua Chu
creator: Xiangming Fang
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Clinical Trials
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18398
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Li et al.
abstract: Background Data on the association between the plain ropivacaine dose and maternal hypotension during cesarean delivery are limited. Thus, this study aimed to explore this association. Methods This retrospective study included patients undergoing cesarean sections under spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with plain ropivacaine at The First Hospital of Fuyang, Hangzhou, China, between 2018 and 2022. Data were obtained from the anesthesia information management system. Liner trend tests were used to distinguish the linear relationship between spinal hypotension and the plain ropivacaine dose, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to calculate the dose threshold. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the stability of the results. The secondary outcome was vasopressor use (metaraminol and ephedrine). Results In total, 1,219 women were included. The incidence of hypotension linearly correlated with the plain ropivacaine dose (adjusted P-value for trend, P < 0.001). Thus, we used a dose threshold of 17.5 mg to compare the dose as a binary variable (≥17.5 mg vs. < 17.5 mg). Plain ropivacaine doses of ≥17.5 mg were associated with a higher incidence of spinal hypotension (adjusted odds ratio: 2.71; 95% confidence interval [1.85–3.95]; P < 0.001). The sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. The plain ropivacaine dose also correlated with metaraminol use but not ephedrine use. Conclusions The incidence of spinal-induced hypotension in women undergoing cesarean section linearly correlated with the plain ropivacaine dose. The dose threshold for hypotension risk was 17.5 mg.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2024) Association between plain ropivacaine dose and spinal hypotension for cesarean delivery: a retrospective study. PeerJ 12:e18398 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18398
date submitted: 2024-07-08
date accepted: 2024-10-04
issued: 2024-10-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Min
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Guohao
author list: Agent
  family name: Chu
  given name: Lihua
author list: Agent
  family name: Fang
  given name: Xiangming
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18398
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-23
copyright: ©2024 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

The effects of livestock grazing on physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of perlite-rich soil
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Livestock grazing has been proposed as a cost-effective way to reclaim post-mining lands. It can enhance soil fertility and biodiversity, but its impacts on soil quality and microbial communities vary across soil types. Moreover, waste from grazing raises concerns about pathogens that could pose risks to animal and human health. This study investigated the effects of grazing on post-mining perlite-rich soil in central Thailand. A comparative analysis of soil physicochemical properties and bacterial diversity was conducted between grazed and ungrazed sites. Bacterial diversity was assessed using 16S amplicon sequencing. The perlite-rich soil was found to be sandy, acidic, and to have low nutritional content. Grazing significantly improved the soil texture and nutrient content, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective reclamation strategy. The 16S metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that microbial communities were impacted by livestock grazing. Specifically, shifts in the dominant bacterial phyla were identified, with increases in Firmicutes and Chloroflexi and a decrease in Actinobacteria. Concerns about increased levels of pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae due to grazing were not substantiated in perlite-rich soil. These bacteria were consistently found at low levels in all soil samples, regardless of livestock grazing. This study also identified a diverse population of Streptomycetaceae, including previously uncharacterized strains/species. This finding could be valuable given that this bacterial family is known for producing antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. However, grazing adversely impacted the abundance and diversity of Streptomycetaceae in this specific soil type. In line with previous research, this study demonstrated that the response of soil microbial communities to grazing varies significantly depending on the soil type, with unique responses appearing to be associated with perlite-rich soil. This emphasizes the importance of soil-specific…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jiraphan Premsuriya
creator: Nontaphat Leerach
creator: Phatcharin Laosena
creator: Woranich Hinthong
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Microbiology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18433
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Premsuriya et al.
abstract: Livestock grazing has been proposed as a cost-effective way to reclaim post-mining lands. It can enhance soil fertility and biodiversity, but its impacts on soil quality and microbial communities vary across soil types. Moreover, waste from grazing raises concerns about pathogens that could pose risks to animal and human health. This study investigated the effects of grazing on post-mining perlite-rich soil in central Thailand. A comparative analysis of soil physicochemical properties and bacterial diversity was conducted between grazed and ungrazed sites. Bacterial diversity was assessed using 16S amplicon sequencing. The perlite-rich soil was found to be sandy, acidic, and to have low nutritional content. Grazing significantly improved the soil texture and nutrient content, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective reclamation strategy. The 16S metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that microbial communities were impacted by livestock grazing. Specifically, shifts in the dominant bacterial phyla were identified, with increases in Firmicutes and Chloroflexi and a decrease in Actinobacteria. Concerns about increased levels of pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae due to grazing were not substantiated in perlite-rich soil. These bacteria were consistently found at low levels in all soil samples, regardless of livestock grazing. This study also identified a diverse population of Streptomycetaceae, including previously uncharacterized strains/species. This finding could be valuable given that this bacterial family is known for producing antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. However, grazing adversely impacted the abundance and diversity of Streptomycetaceae in this specific soil type. In line with previous research, this study demonstrated that the response of soil microbial communities to grazing varies significantly depending on the soil type, with unique responses appearing to be associated with perlite-rich soil. This emphasizes the importance of soil-specific…
bibliographic citation: Premsuriya et al. (2024) The effects of livestock grazing on physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of perlite-rich soil. PeerJ 12:e18433 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18433
date submitted: 2024-07-29
date accepted: 2024-10-09
issued: 2024-10-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Premsuriya
  given name: Jiraphan
author list: Agent
  family name: Leerach
  given name: Nontaphat
author list: Agent
  family name: Laosena
  given name: Phatcharin
author list: Agent
  family name: Hinthong
  given name: Woranich
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18433
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-23
copyright: ©2024 Premsuriya et al.
attribution name: Premsuriya et al.

A classification system for identifying persons with an unknown cardiovascular disease (CVD) status for a multiracial/ ethnic Caribbean population
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The need for classification systems for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is population-specific is important towards understanding the clinical disease and diagnostics associated with the disease. This paper presents the form and validation results of this classification system. Method The survey data used was captured from 778 participants, 526 persons with no prior CVD, and 252 who reported prior CVD. Binomial logistic regression and Discriminant analysis were utilised to develop classification models. This classification system provided a general measure of severity of disease by utilising scores estimated from two algorithms developed from 13 routine physiologic measurements, along with demographic information of age and ethnicity, inter alia, and previous health status. Results For each model, specific score ranges were identified, which gave the best classification for those with a prior CVD incident (higher scores) and for others labelled as non-CVD (lower scores). The two classification models (Logistic Regression Model and Discriminant Analysis Model) developed had high area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) values (98% & 99%) and sensitivity (86 and 90%), which improved discrimination between Non-CVD and CVD participants and, more importantly, correctly classified a greater proportion of CVD participants. New to this type of research was the estimation and detailed evaluation of a range of scores, labelled non-differentiating, which fell in the middle of the spectrum and which contained the higher-end scores for the non-CVD individuals and the lower-end scores for CVD patients, all of whom were incorrectly classified, based on their prior history. Conclusion The classification system of scores is able to differentiate the CVD status of individuals, with good predictability, and could assist physicians with recommending different treatment plans. The two models in this classification system each individually outperformed the th…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Amalia Hosein
creator: Valerie Stoute
creator: Natasha Singh
subject: Cardiology
subject: Evidence Based Medicine
subject: Global Health
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17948
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Hosein et al.
abstract: Background The need for classification systems for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is population-specific is important towards understanding the clinical disease and diagnostics associated with the disease. This paper presents the form and validation results of this classification system. Method The survey data used was captured from 778 participants, 526 persons with no prior CVD, and 252 who reported prior CVD. Binomial logistic regression and Discriminant analysis were utilised to develop classification models. This classification system provided a general measure of severity of disease by utilising scores estimated from two algorithms developed from 13 routine physiologic measurements, along with demographic information of age and ethnicity, inter alia, and previous health status. Results For each model, specific score ranges were identified, which gave the best classification for those with a prior CVD incident (higher scores) and for others labelled as non-CVD (lower scores). The two classification models (Logistic Regression Model and Discriminant Analysis Model) developed had high area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) values (98% & 99%) and sensitivity (86 and 90%), which improved discrimination between Non-CVD and CVD participants and, more importantly, correctly classified a greater proportion of CVD participants. New to this type of research was the estimation and detailed evaluation of a range of scores, labelled non-differentiating, which fell in the middle of the spectrum and which contained the higher-end scores for the non-CVD individuals and the lower-end scores for CVD patients, all of whom were incorrectly classified, based on their prior history. Conclusion The classification system of scores is able to differentiate the CVD status of individuals, with good predictability, and could assist physicians with recommending different treatment plans. The two models in this classification system each individually outperformed the th…
bibliographic citation: Hosein et al. (2024) A classification system for identifying persons with an unknown cardiovascular disease (CVD) status for a multiracial/ ethnic Caribbean population. PeerJ 12:e17948 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17948
date submitted: 2022-12-02
date accepted: 2024-07-30
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hosein
  given name: Amalia
author list: Agent
  family name: Stoute
  given name: Valerie
author list: Agent
  family name: Singh
  given name: Natasha
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17948
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: ©2024 Hosein et al.
attribution name: Hosein et al.

Muscle synergies during the walk-run and run-walk transitions
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Muscular synergies could represent the patterns of muscular activation used by the central nervous system (CNS) to simplify the production of movement. Studies in walking-running transitions described up to nine synergy modules, and an earlier activation of flexor and extension ankle muscular groups compared to running or walking. Our project aims to study the behaviour of muscle synergies in different stance and swing variations of walking-running (WRT) and running-walking (RWT) transitions. Methods Twenty-four trained men participated in this study. A variable speed protocol on a treadmill was developed to record the activity of 14 muscle during walking, running and relative transitions. The protocol was based on five ramps of 50 seconds each around ± 10 and 20% of the WRT speed. WRT and RWT were identified according to an abrupt change of the duty factor. Analysing surface electromyography using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) we obtained synergy modules and temporal activation profiles. Alpha threshold for statistical tests set at 0.05. Results We described four different transition strides, two for increasing speed transitions, and two for decreasing speed transitions. Four to six synergy modules were found in each condition. According to the maximum cosine similarity results, the two identified WRT conditions shared five modules, while the two RWT conditions shared four modules. WRT and RWT overall shared 4.33 ± 0.58 modules. The activation profiles and centres of activation revealed differences among conditions. Discussion Transition occurred at step level, and transition strides were composed by walk-like and run-like steps. Compared with previous studies in running and walking, both transitions needed earlier activation of a comparable number of synergy modules. Synergies were affected by acceleration: during RWT the need to dissipate energy, to decrease the speed, was achieved by increasing the number of co-activating muscles. This was r…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Leonardo Lagos-Hausheer
creator: Samuel Vergara
creator: Victor Munoz-Martel
creator: Germán Pequera
creator: Renata L. Bona
creator: Carlo M. Biancardi
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18162
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Lagos-Hausheer et al.
abstract: Background Muscular synergies could represent the patterns of muscular activation used by the central nervous system (CNS) to simplify the production of movement. Studies in walking-running transitions described up to nine synergy modules, and an earlier activation of flexor and extension ankle muscular groups compared to running or walking. Our project aims to study the behaviour of muscle synergies in different stance and swing variations of walking-running (WRT) and running-walking (RWT) transitions. Methods Twenty-four trained men participated in this study. A variable speed protocol on a treadmill was developed to record the activity of 14 muscle during walking, running and relative transitions. The protocol was based on five ramps of 50 seconds each around ± 10 and 20% of the WRT speed. WRT and RWT were identified according to an abrupt change of the duty factor. Analysing surface electromyography using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) we obtained synergy modules and temporal activation profiles. Alpha threshold for statistical tests set at 0.05. Results We described four different transition strides, two for increasing speed transitions, and two for decreasing speed transitions. Four to six synergy modules were found in each condition. According to the maximum cosine similarity results, the two identified WRT conditions shared five modules, while the two RWT conditions shared four modules. WRT and RWT overall shared 4.33 ± 0.58 modules. The activation profiles and centres of activation revealed differences among conditions. Discussion Transition occurred at step level, and transition strides were composed by walk-like and run-like steps. Compared with previous studies in running and walking, both transitions needed earlier activation of a comparable number of synergy modules. Synergies were affected by acceleration: during RWT the need to dissipate energy, to decrease the speed, was achieved by increasing the number of co-activating muscles. This was r…
bibliographic citation: Lagos-Hausheer et al. (2024) Muscle synergies during the walk-run and run-walk transitions. PeerJ 12:e18162 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18162
date submitted: 2024-05-31
date accepted: 2024-09-02
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lagos-Hausheer
  given name: Leonardo
author list: Agent
  family name: Vergara
  given name: Samuel
author list: Agent
  family name: Munoz-Martel
  given name: Victor
author list: Agent
  family name: Pequera
  given name: Germán
author list: Agent
  family name: Bona
  given name: Renata L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Biancardi
  given name: Carlo M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18162
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: ©2024 Lagos-Hausheer et al.
attribution name: Lagos-Hausheer et al.

Ecological features and insecticide resistance of Aedes albopictus in Xi’an, a high-risk dengue transmission area in China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has occurred in many cities in China, and it tends to spread to higher latitudes (Huang et al., 2023). Xi’an, situated in central-west China, has witnessed an increase imported cases in the past few years, raising concerns of local dengue transmission. It is crucial to investigate the population density of Aedes albopictus and its insecticides resistance to enhance early warning of dengue fever. Methods Eight sampling sites in eight counties (YT, BL, WY, CH, YL, LN, LT, ZZ) of Xi’an city were surveyed by larval dipping and human-baited double net trap biweekly from June 2021 to September 2022. The Breteau Index (BI, number of positive containers per 100 houses) and Container Index (CI, the percentage of containers containing larvae or pupae) were used to assess larval density, and the human-baited double net trap (HDN, the number of Ae. albopictus females collected per person per hour) to indicate human bating rate (HBR). Meanwhile, the association between the meteorological factors and mosquito density was analyzed. The Ae. albopictus adult insecticides resistance was evaluated by the World Health Organization (WHO) standard resistance bioassay. Adult females were exposed to insecticide-impregnated paper for 1 h, then transferred to the recovery tube, and mortality rate was calculated after 24 h. According to the Implementation Plan for National Vector Surveillance (2016), resistance status was classified into three levels based on mortality: <80% mortality as resistant, between 80% and 98% mortality as possibly resistant, and >98% mortality as sensitive. Results From June 2021 to September 2022, a total of 1,065 houses were surveyed for water holding containers, and 99 of 430 water holding containers were checked to be positive for Ae. albopictus larvae and pupae. A total of 1,048 Ae. albopictus females were collected. The average BI, CI and HBR were 10.39, 21.41, and 11.20 female/man/hour in 2021 and 8.86, 20.86,…
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format: text/html
creator: Xiaogang Lei
creator: Songtao Pang
creator: Qipeng Zhang
creator: Kun Xu
creator: Wei Xue
creator: Mingxu Wu
creator: Xiangdong Li
creator: Liangdong Jin
creator: Guangshuai Li
creator: Baozhong Chen
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18246
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Lei et al.
abstract: Background Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has occurred in many cities in China, and it tends to spread to higher latitudes (Huang et al., 2023). Xi’an, situated in central-west China, has witnessed an increase imported cases in the past few years, raising concerns of local dengue transmission. It is crucial to investigate the population density of Aedes albopictus and its insecticides resistance to enhance early warning of dengue fever. Methods Eight sampling sites in eight counties (YT, BL, WY, CH, YL, LN, LT, ZZ) of Xi’an city were surveyed by larval dipping and human-baited double net trap biweekly from June 2021 to September 2022. The Breteau Index (BI, number of positive containers per 100 houses) and Container Index (CI, the percentage of containers containing larvae or pupae) were used to assess larval density, and the human-baited double net trap (HDN, the number of Ae. albopictus females collected per person per hour) to indicate human bating rate (HBR). Meanwhile, the association between the meteorological factors and mosquito density was analyzed. The Ae. albopictus adult insecticides resistance was evaluated by the World Health Organization (WHO) standard resistance bioassay. Adult females were exposed to insecticide-impregnated paper for 1 h, then transferred to the recovery tube, and mortality rate was calculated after 24 h. According to the Implementation Plan for National Vector Surveillance (2016), resistance status was classified into three levels based on mortality: <80% mortality as resistant, between 80% and 98% mortality as possibly resistant, and >98% mortality as sensitive. Results From June 2021 to September 2022, a total of 1,065 houses were surveyed for water holding containers, and 99 of 430 water holding containers were checked to be positive for Ae. albopictus larvae and pupae. A total of 1,048 Ae. albopictus females were collected. The average BI, CI and HBR were 10.39, 21.41, and 11.20 female/man/hour in 2021 and 8.86, 20.86,…
bibliographic citation: Lei et al. (2024) Ecological features and insecticide resistance of Aedes albopictus in Xi’an, a high-risk dengue transmission area in China. PeerJ 12:e18246 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18246
date submitted: 2024-07-08
date accepted: 2024-09-15
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lei
  given name: Xiaogang
author list: Agent
  family name: Pang
  given name: Songtao
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Qipeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Kun
author list: Agent
  family name: Xue
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Mingxu
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xiangdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Jin
  given name: Liangdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Guangshuai
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Baozhong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18246
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: ©2024 Lei et al.
attribution name: Lei et al.

Identifying a cis-element in PtoCP1 promoter for efficiently controlling constitutive gene expression in Populus tomentosa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Gene expression is regulated by transcription factors binding to cis-elements in promoters. However, efficient cis-elements for genetic engineering are rarely reported. In this study, we identified an 11 bp cis-element in the PtoCP1 promoter that drives strong constitutive gene expression in Populus tomentosa. A 2,270 bp promoter region upstream of the PtoCP1 gene’s translation start site was cloned and named ProPtoCP1. This promoter controls GUS reporter gene expression in the roots, leaves, and stems of Arabidopsis seedlings. Based on the location and density of cis-elements, the PtoCP1 promoter was divided into four fragments by 5′-end deletions. GUS staining and RT-qPCR revealed a key cis-element at −466 to −441 bp essential for gene expression. Further analysis showed that the MYB-TGACG cis-element is a positive regulator, whereas neither MYB nor TGACG alone drove gene expression. This study enhances our understanding of gene expression regulation by cis-elements and provides a valuable tool for genetic engineering.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yu Peng
creator: Xueqin Guo
creator: Yawei Fan
creator: Han Liu
creator: Leiqian Sun
creator: Di Liu
creator: Hui Li
creator: Xin Wang
creator: Hongli Guo
creator: Hai Lu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18292
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Peng et al.
abstract: Gene expression is regulated by transcription factors binding to cis-elements in promoters. However, efficient cis-elements for genetic engineering are rarely reported. In this study, we identified an 11 bp cis-element in the PtoCP1 promoter that drives strong constitutive gene expression in Populus tomentosa. A 2,270 bp promoter region upstream of the PtoCP1 gene’s translation start site was cloned and named ProPtoCP1. This promoter controls GUS reporter gene expression in the roots, leaves, and stems of Arabidopsis seedlings. Based on the location and density of cis-elements, the PtoCP1 promoter was divided into four fragments by 5′-end deletions. GUS staining and RT-qPCR revealed a key cis-element at −466 to −441 bp essential for gene expression. Further analysis showed that the MYB-TGACG cis-element is a positive regulator, whereas neither MYB nor TGACG alone drove gene expression. This study enhances our understanding of gene expression regulation by cis-elements and provides a valuable tool for genetic engineering.
bibliographic citation: Peng et al. (2024) Identifying a cis-element in PtoCP1 promoter for efficiently controlling constitutive gene expression in Populus tomentosa. PeerJ 12:e18292 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18292
date submitted: 2024-05-30
date accepted: 2024-09-21
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Xueqin
author list: Agent
  family name: Fan
  given name: Yawei
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Han
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Leiqian
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Di
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Hongli
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Hai
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18292
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: © 2024 Peng et al.
attribution name: Peng et al.

Ecological and taxonomic dissimilarity in species and higher taxa of reptiles in western Mexico
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates in the world that are distributed in almost all ecosystems. Many of these studies have focused on exploring their diversity patterns across different environments; and recent studies on reptile alpha and beta diversity have incorporated a multifaceted approach into their analysis to have more comprehensive evaluations. This study presents an assessment of the taxonomic diversity of reptile patterns using methods that incorporate the assessment of higher taxa. Likewise, the taxonomic dissimilarities between reptile communities in the physiographic regions of the state of Jalisco were analyzed. Evaluations for the groups of snakes and lizards independently are presented. We use the taxonomic distinctiveness index that assesses the complexity of the taxonomic structure of communities through hierarchical classification above the species level to measure the relationships between taxa. The dissimilarity of the taxonomic structure in each community was also analyzed. Beta diversity partitions were performed to identify the contribution of turnover and the differences in richness. We determined that alpha diversity of species and higher taxa maintain different patterns, indicating that Jalisco presents regions with overrepresentation of reptile families and genera, as well as regions with an opposite trend. The representation of higher taxa is higher in the lizard group, although in terms of species richness snakes are the most prominent group. The turnover is the most important component at species and higher taxa, with similar values for lizards and snakes. The findings presented show that incorporating phylogenetic information about species through taxonomic relationships provides complementary information that species diversity per se, especially at the level of alpha diversity.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jaime Manuel Calderón-Patrón
creator: Jorge Téllez-López
creator: Eréndira Canales-Gómez
creator: Karen Elizabeth Peña-Joya
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18343
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Calderón-Patrón et al.
abstract: Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates in the world that are distributed in almost all ecosystems. Many of these studies have focused on exploring their diversity patterns across different environments; and recent studies on reptile alpha and beta diversity have incorporated a multifaceted approach into their analysis to have more comprehensive evaluations. This study presents an assessment of the taxonomic diversity of reptile patterns using methods that incorporate the assessment of higher taxa. Likewise, the taxonomic dissimilarities between reptile communities in the physiographic regions of the state of Jalisco were analyzed. Evaluations for the groups of snakes and lizards independently are presented. We use the taxonomic distinctiveness index that assesses the complexity of the taxonomic structure of communities through hierarchical classification above the species level to measure the relationships between taxa. The dissimilarity of the taxonomic structure in each community was also analyzed. Beta diversity partitions were performed to identify the contribution of turnover and the differences in richness. We determined that alpha diversity of species and higher taxa maintain different patterns, indicating that Jalisco presents regions with overrepresentation of reptile families and genera, as well as regions with an opposite trend. The representation of higher taxa is higher in the lizard group, although in terms of species richness snakes are the most prominent group. The turnover is the most important component at species and higher taxa, with similar values for lizards and snakes. The findings presented show that incorporating phylogenetic information about species through taxonomic relationships provides complementary information that species diversity per se, especially at the level of alpha diversity.
bibliographic citation: Calderón-Patrón et al. (2024) Ecological and taxonomic dissimilarity in species and higher taxa of reptiles in western Mexico. PeerJ 12:e18343 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18343
date submitted: 2024-05-27
date accepted: 2024-09-26
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Calderón-Patrón
  given name: Jaime Manuel
author list: Agent
  family name: Téllez-López
  given name: Jorge
author list: Agent
  family name: Canales-Gómez
  given name: Eréndira
author list: Agent
  family name: Peña-Joya
  given name: Karen Elizabeth
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18343
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: © 2024 Calderón-Patrón et al.
attribution name: Calderón-Patrón et al.

Spatiotemporal gait characteristics post-total hip arthroplasty and its impact on locomotive syndrome: a before-after comparative study in hip osteoarthritis patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Understanding the gait pattern of patients eligible for total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to hip osteoarthritis (OA) offers valuable information for improving locomotive syndrome (LS). This study aims to measure the gait patterns of THA-eligible patients using an optical motion capture system and to analyze these patterns using principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, this study examines the relationship between THA-induced gait patterns and LS. Methods This before-after study included 237 patients who underwent unilateral primary THA due to hip OA. The primary outcome measures were spatiotemporal gait parameters. Secondary outcome measures included three LS risk tests: a stand-up test, a two-step test, a 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and total clinical decision limits stages. PCA was performed using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters collected before and three months after THA. Principal components (PC) were selected to achieve a cumulative contribution rate of 90% (0.9) or higher. Each summarized PC was compared using a paired t-test before and three months after THA. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine how changes in each PC between before and three months after THA related to changes in the four LS evaluation items. Results PCA identified three principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3) that accounted for a cumulative contribution rate of 0.910 using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters. When comparing before and three months after THA for all three PCs, significant differences were observed in each PC (p < 0.001), with overall walking ability and stance phase being higher three months after THA than before THA, while the asymmetry of support time was lower three months after THA. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that PC1, PC2, and PC3 were the most influential factors in total clinical decision limits stage. For each LS risk test, the factors related to the stand-up test …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shigeaki Miyazaki
creator: Yoshinori Fujii
creator: Kurumi Tsuruta
creator: Saori Yoshinaga
creator: Amy Hombu
creator: Taro Funamoto
creator: Takero Sakamoto
creator: Takuya Tajima
creator: Hideki Arakawa
creator: Tsubasa Kawaguchi
creator: Jun Nakatake
creator: Etsuo Chosa
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Rehabilitation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18351
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Miyazaki et al.
abstract: Background Understanding the gait pattern of patients eligible for total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to hip osteoarthritis (OA) offers valuable information for improving locomotive syndrome (LS). This study aims to measure the gait patterns of THA-eligible patients using an optical motion capture system and to analyze these patterns using principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, this study examines the relationship between THA-induced gait patterns and LS. Methods This before-after study included 237 patients who underwent unilateral primary THA due to hip OA. The primary outcome measures were spatiotemporal gait parameters. Secondary outcome measures included three LS risk tests: a stand-up test, a two-step test, a 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and total clinical decision limits stages. PCA was performed using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters collected before and three months after THA. Principal components (PC) were selected to achieve a cumulative contribution rate of 90% (0.9) or higher. Each summarized PC was compared using a paired t-test before and three months after THA. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine how changes in each PC between before and three months after THA related to changes in the four LS evaluation items. Results PCA identified three principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3) that accounted for a cumulative contribution rate of 0.910 using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters. When comparing before and three months after THA for all three PCs, significant differences were observed in each PC (p < 0.001), with overall walking ability and stance phase being higher three months after THA than before THA, while the asymmetry of support time was lower three months after THA. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that PC1, PC2, and PC3 were the most influential factors in total clinical decision limits stage. For each LS risk test, the factors related to the stand-up test …
bibliographic citation: Miyazaki et al. (2024) Spatiotemporal gait characteristics post-total hip arthroplasty and its impact on locomotive syndrome: a before-after comparative study in hip osteoarthritis patients. PeerJ 12:e18351 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18351
date submitted: 2024-04-18
date accepted: 2024-09-27
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Miyazaki
  given name: Shigeaki
author list: Agent
  family name: Fujii
  given name: Yoshinori
author list: Agent
  family name: Tsuruta
  given name: Kurumi
author list: Agent
  family name: Yoshinaga
  given name: Saori
author list: Agent
  family name: Hombu
  given name: Amy
author list: Agent
  family name: Funamoto
  given name: Taro
author list: Agent
  family name: Sakamoto
  given name: Takero
author list: Agent
  family name: Tajima
  given name: Takuya
author list: Agent
  family name: Arakawa
  given name: Hideki
author list: Agent
  family name: Kawaguchi
  given name: Tsubasa
author list: Agent
  family name: Nakatake
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Chosa
  given name: Etsuo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18351
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: ©2024 Miyazaki et al.
attribution name: Miyazaki et al.

The mitochondrial genome sequences of eleven leafhopper species of Batracomorphus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) reveal new gene rearrangements and phylogenetic implications
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Batracomorphus is the most diverse and widely distributed genus of Iassinae. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic analysis of the genome structure and phylogenetic relationships of the genus. To determine the characteristics of the mitogenomes of Batracomorphus species as well as the phylogenetic relationships between them, we sequenced and compared the mitogenomes of 11 representative Batracomorphus species. The results revealed that the mitogenomes of the 11 Batracomorphus species exhibited highly similar gene and nucleotide composition, and codon usage compared with other reported mitogenomes of Iassinae. Of these 11 species, we found that the mitogenomes of four species were rearranged in the region from trnI-trnQ-trnM to trnQ-trnI-trnM, whereas the remaining species presented a typical gene order. The topologies of six phylogenetic trees were in agreement. Eurymelinae consistently formed paraphyletic groups. Ledrinae and Evacanthinae formed sister taxa within the same clade. Similarly, Typhlocybinae and Mileewinae consistently clustered together. All phylogenetic trees supported the monophyly of Iassinae, indicating its evolutionary distinctiveness while also revealing its sister relationship with Coelidiinae. Notably, the nodes for all species of the genus Batracomorphus were well supported and these taxa clustered into a large branch that indicated monophyly. Within this large branch, four Batracomorphus species with a gene rearrangement (trnQ-trnI-trnM) exhibited distinctive clustering, which divided the large branch into three minor branches. These findings expand our understanding of the taxonomy, evolution, genetics, and systematics of the genus Batracomorphus and broader Iassinae groups.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jikai Lu
creator: Jiajia Wang
creator: Renhuai Dai
creator: Xianyi Wang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Entomology
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18352
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Lu et al.
abstract: Batracomorphus is the most diverse and widely distributed genus of Iassinae. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic analysis of the genome structure and phylogenetic relationships of the genus. To determine the characteristics of the mitogenomes of Batracomorphus species as well as the phylogenetic relationships between them, we sequenced and compared the mitogenomes of 11 representative Batracomorphus species. The results revealed that the mitogenomes of the 11 Batracomorphus species exhibited highly similar gene and nucleotide composition, and codon usage compared with other reported mitogenomes of Iassinae. Of these 11 species, we found that the mitogenomes of four species were rearranged in the region from trnI-trnQ-trnM to trnQ-trnI-trnM, whereas the remaining species presented a typical gene order. The topologies of six phylogenetic trees were in agreement. Eurymelinae consistently formed paraphyletic groups. Ledrinae and Evacanthinae formed sister taxa within the same clade. Similarly, Typhlocybinae and Mileewinae consistently clustered together. All phylogenetic trees supported the monophyly of Iassinae, indicating its evolutionary distinctiveness while also revealing its sister relationship with Coelidiinae. Notably, the nodes for all species of the genus Batracomorphus were well supported and these taxa clustered into a large branch that indicated monophyly. Within this large branch, four Batracomorphus species with a gene rearrangement (trnQ-trnI-trnM) exhibited distinctive clustering, which divided the large branch into three minor branches. These findings expand our understanding of the taxonomy, evolution, genetics, and systematics of the genus Batracomorphus and broader Iassinae groups.
bibliographic citation: Lu et al. (2024) The mitochondrial genome sequences of eleven leafhopper species of Batracomorphus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) reveal new gene rearrangements and phylogenetic implications. PeerJ 12:e18352 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18352
date submitted: 2023-11-28
date accepted: 2024-09-27
issued: 2024-10-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Jikai
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jiajia
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Renhuai
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xianyi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18352
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-22
copyright: ©2024 Lu et al.
attribution name: Lu et al.

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