First fossil species of family Hyidae (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) confirms 99 million years of ecological stasis in a Gondwanan lineage
Burmese amber preserves a diverse assemblage of Cretaceous arachnids, and among pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones), ten species in five families have already been named. Here, we describe a new fossil species from Burmese amber in the pseudoscorpion family Hyidae, providing detailed measurements, photographs and 3D-models from synchrotron scanning. Based on morphology, the new fossil, Hya fynni sp. nov. is placed in the genus Hya, and is nearly identical to extant species in the genus, except for the position of trichobothrium est on the pedipalpal chela, thereby indicating extreme morphological stasis in this invertebrate lineage over the last 99 million years. Hya fynni represents the first described fossil species in Hyidae, and the third described Burmese fossil in the superfamily Neobisioidea. It also joins the garypinid, Amblyolpium burmiticum, in representing the oldest fossil records for extant pseudoscorpion genera. Considering proposed divergence dates, the newly described fossil species bolsters a Gondwanan origin for Hyidae, and provides evidence for the “Late Jurassic Rifting” hypothesis for the Burma Terrane, in which this landmass rifted from Gondwana in the Late Jurassic and collided with Eurasia by the Cretaceous/Eocene. Like Hya species today, H. fynni likely inhabited humicolous microhabitats in tropical forests on the Burma Terrane, supporting ecological niche stasis for this family since the Mesozoic.
Röschmann et al. (2024) First fossil species of family Hyidae (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) confirms 99 million years of ecological stasis in a Gondwanan lineage. PeerJ 12:e17515 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17515
Microbiota based personalized nutrition improves hyperglycaemia and hypertension parameters and reduces inflammation: a prospective, open label, controlled, randomized, comparative, proof of concept study
Background Recent studies suggest that gut microbiota composition, abundance and diversity can influence many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Modulating gut microbiota through targeted nutrition can provide beneficial effects leading to the concept of personalized nutrition for health improvement. In this prospective clinical trial, we evaluated the impact of a microbiome-based targeted personalized diet on hyperglycaemic and hyperlipidaemic individuals. Specifically, BugSpeaks®-a microbiome profile test that profiles microbiota using next generation sequencing and provides personalized nutritional recommendation based on the individual microbiota profile was evaluated. Methods A total of 30 participants with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidaemia were recruited for this study. The microbiome profile of the 15 participants (test arm) was evaluated using whole genome shotgun metagenomics and personalized nutritional recommendations based on their microbiota profile were provided. The remaining 15 participants (control arm) were provided with diabetic nutritional guidance for 3 months. Clinical and anthropometric parameters such as HbA1c, systolic/diastolic pressure, c-reactive protein levels and microbiota composition were measured and compared during the study. Results The test arm (microbiome-based nutrition) showed a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c level from 8.30 (95% confidence interval (CI), [7.74–8.85]) to 6.67 (95% CI [6.2–7.05]), p < 0.001 after 90 days. The test arm also showed a 5% decline in the systolic pressure whereas the control arm showed a 7% increase. Incidentally, a sub-cohort of the test arm of patients with >130 mm Hg systolic pressure showed a statistically significant decrease of systolic pressure by 14%. Interestingly, CRP level was also found to drop by 19.5%. Alpha diversity measures showed a significant increase in Shannon diversity measure (p < 0.05), after the microbiome-based personalized dietary intervention. The intervention led to a minimum two-fold (Log2 fold change increase in species like Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens, Bifidobacterium angulatum, and Levilactobacillus brevis which might have a beneficial role in the current context and a similar decrease in species like Alistipes finegoldii, and Sutterella faecalis which have been earlier shown to have some negative effects in the host. Overall, the study indicated a net positive impact of the microbiota based personalized dietary regime on the gut microbiome and correlated clinical parameters.
Kallapura et al. (2024) Microbiota based personalized nutrition improves hyperglycaemia and hypertension parameters and reduces inflammation: a prospective, open label, controlled, randomized, comparative, proof of concept study. PeerJ 12:e17583 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17583
Possible eucynodont (Synapsida: Cynodontia) tracks from a lacustrine facies in the Lower Jurassic Moenave Formation of southwestern Utah
Eight fossil tetrapod footprints from lake-shore deposits in the Lower Jurassic Moenave Formation at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site (SGDS) in southwestern Utah cannot be assigned to the prevalent dinosaurian (Anomoepus, Eubrontes, Gigandipus, Grallator, Kayentapus) or crocodyliform (Batrachopus) ichnotaxa at the site. The tridactyl and tetradactyl footprints are incomplete, consisting of digit- and digit-tip-only imprints. Seven of the eight are likely pes prints; the remaining specimen is a possible manus print. The pes prints have digit imprint morphologies and similar anterior projections and divarication angles to those of Brasilichnium, an ichnotaxon found primarily in eolian paleoenvironments attributed to eucynodont synapsids. Although their incompleteness prevents clear referral to Brasilichnium, the SGDS tracks nevertheless suggest a eucynodont track maker and thus represent a rare, Early Mesozoic occurrence of such tracks outside of an eolian paleoenvironment.
Hurtado et al. (2024) Possible eucynodont (Synapsida: Cynodontia) tracks from a lacustrine facies in the Lower Jurassic Moenave Formation of southwestern Utah. PeerJ 12:e17591 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17591
The effects of occupational disruption during COVID-19 lockdowns on health: a cross-sectional study
The disruption in daily activity performance during COVID-19 lockdowns is widely understood to have impacted health, but a better understanding of how restricted performance of specific activities are associated with health is needed. This cross-sectional study answers the following question: How were changes in the performance of 16 daily activities associated with health during COVID-19 lockdowns? A total of 116 participants completed an online survey rating their health before and during COVID-19 lockdowns and comparing their recollection of the performance of 16 activities before COVID-19 with their performance during lockdowns. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between self-reported changes in activities during lockdowns and concurrent (during-lockdown) health status, while controlling for pre-COVID-19 health status. Only changes in activities that were uniquely and significantly associated with lockdown health status were retained in the final model. Health before COVID-19 accounted for 3.7% (P = 0.039) of the variance in health during COVID-19 lockdowns. After controlling for health before COVID-19, five types of activity were significantly and uniquely predictive of health during lockdowns, together accounting for 48.3% of the variance. These activities and the variances they accounted for were rest and sleep (29.5%, P < 0.001), play and recreational activities (8%, P < 0.001), work (4.8%, P = 0.002), personal hygiene (3.2%, P = 0.01), and healthy eating (2.8%, P = 0.013). The study suggests that these five types of activity should be prioritized in policy or interventions when participation in activity is constrained by lockdowns or comparable factors.
Muriithi et al. (2024) The effects of occupational disruption during COVID-19 lockdowns on health: a cross-sectional study. PeerJ 12:e17594 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17594
Shoulder mobility and strength impairments in patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta analysis
Background The methods previously proposed in the literature to assess patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain, based on special orthopedic tests to precisely identify the structure causing the shoulder symptoms have been recently challenged. This opens the possibility of a different way of physical examination. Objective To analyze the differences in shoulder range of motion, strength and thoracic kyphosis between rotator cuff related shoulder pain patients and an asymptomatic group. Method The protocol of the present research was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) (registration number CRD42021258924). Database search of observational studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, WOS and CINHAL until July 2023, which assessed shoulder or neck neuro-musculoskeletal non-invasive physical examination compared to an asymptomatic group. Two investigators assessed eligibility and study quality. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodology quality. Results Eight studies (N = 604) were selected for the quantitative analysis. Meta-analysis showed statistical differences with large effect for shoulder flexion (I2 = 91.7%, p < 0.01, HG = −1.30), external rotation (I2 = 83.2%, p < 0.01, HG = −1.16) and internal rotation range of motion (I2 = 0%, p < 0.01, HG = −1.32). Regarding to shoulder strength; only internal rotation strength showed statistical differences with small effect (I2 = 42.8%, p < 0.05, HG = −0.3). Conclusions There is moderate to strong evidence that patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain present less shoulder flexion, internal and external rotation range of motion and less internal rotation strength than asymptomatic individuals.
Manoso-Hernando et al. (2024) Shoulder mobility and strength impairments in patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta analysis. PeerJ 12:e17604 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17604
The association between antiphospholipid syndrome and atrial fibrillation: a single center retrospective case-control study
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune syndrome characterized by arterial or venous thrombosis, pregnancy complications and thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between APS and atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients in Peking University People’s Hospital. A single center retrospective study was conducted. Cases were hospitalized patients diagnosed with AF by a cardiologist while the control group patients did not exhibit cardiac diseases. The results of the study revealed that in multivariable logistic regression, APS, anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) positivity and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein antibody (anti-β2GPI) positivity are independent risk factors of AF. APS, aCL positivity and anti-β2GPI positivity are statistically different between AF patients and non-AF patients. Forthcoming studies are needed to clarify the potential link between APS and AF.
Zhou et al. (2024) The association between antiphospholipid syndrome and atrial fibrillation: a single center retrospective case-control study. PeerJ 12:e17617 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17617
Exploring the plasmodesmata callose-binding protein gene family in upland cotton: unraveling insights for enhancing fiber length
Plasmodesmata are transmembrane channels embedded within the cell wall that can facilitate the intercellular communication in plants. Plasmodesmata callose-binding (PDCB) protein that associates with the plasmodesmata contributes to cell wall extension. Given that the elongation of cotton fiber cells correlates with the dynamics of the cell wall, this protein can be related to the cotton fiber elongation. This study sought to identify PDCB family members within the Gossypium. hirsutum genome and to elucidate their expression profiles. A total of 45 distinct family members were observed through the identification and screening processes. The analysis of their physicochemical properties revealed the similarity in the amino acid composition and molecular weight across most members. The phylogenetic analysis facilitated the construction of an evolutionary tree, categorizing these members into five groups mainly distributed on 20 chromosomes. The fine mapping results facilitated a tissue-specific examination of group V, revealing that the expression level of GhPDCB9 peaked five days after flowering. The VIGS experiments resulted in a marked decrease in the gene expression level and a significant reduction in the mature fiber length, averaging a shortening of 1.43–4.77 mm. The results indicated that GhPDCB9 played a pivotal role in the cotton fiber development and served as a candidate for enhancing cotton yield.
Zhang et al. (2024) Exploring the plasmodesmata callose-binding protein gene family in upland cotton: unraveling insights for enhancing fiber length. PeerJ 12:e17625 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17625
Novel roles of κ-opioid receptor in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Acute heart attack is the primary cause of cardiovascular-related death worldwide. A common treatment is reperfusion of ischemic tissue, which can cause irreversible damage to the myocardium. The number of mitochondria in cardiomyocytes is large, which generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to sustain proper cardiac contractile function, and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in cell death during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, leading to an increasing number of studies investigating the impact of mitochondria on ischemia-reperfusion injury. The disarray of mitochondrial dynamics, excessive Ca2+ accumulation, activation of mitochondrial permeable transition pores, swelling of mitochondria, ultimately the death of cardiomyocyte are the consequences of ischemia-reperfusion injury. κ-opioid receptors can alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction, regulate mitochondrial dynamics, mitigate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, exert protective effects on myocardium. The mechanism of κ-OR activation during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion to regulate mitochondrial dynamics and reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury will be discussed, so as to provide theoretical basis for the protection of ischemic myocardium.
Zhang et al. (2024) Novel roles of κ-opioid receptor in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. PeerJ 12:e17333 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17333
Recovery of deep-sea meiofauna community in Kaikōura Canyon following an earthquake-triggered turbidity flow
Turbidity flows can transport massive amounts of sediment across large distances with dramatic, long-lasting impacts on deep-sea benthic communities. The 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura Earthquake triggered a canyon-flushing event in Kaikōura Canyon, New Zealand, which included significant submarine mass wasting, debris, and turbidity flows. This event provided an excellent opportunity to investigate the effects of large-scale natural disturbance on benthic ecosystems. Benthic meiofauna community structure before and after the event was analysed from a time series of sediment cores collected 10 years and 6 years before, and 10 weeks, 10 months, and 4 years after the disturbance. Immediately after the 2016 event abundances of all meiofauna dramatically decreased. Four years later the meiofauna community had recovered and was no longer distinguishable from the pre-event community. However, the nematode component of the community was similar, but not fully comparable to the pre-event community by 4 years after the disturbance. Community recovery was systematically correlated to changes in the physical characteristics of the habitat caused by the disturbance, using physical and biochemical variables derived from sediment cores, namely: sediment texture, organic matter, and pigment content. While these environmental variables explained relatively little of the overall variability in meiofauna community structure, particle size, food availability and quality were significant components. The minimum threshold time for the meiofauna community to fully recover was estimated to be between 3.9 and 4.7 years, although the predicted recovery time for the nematode community was longer, between 4.6 and 5 years. We consider the management implications of this study in comparison to the few studies of large-scale disturbances in the deep sea, in terms of their relevance to the efficacy of the marine reserve that encompasses Kaikōura Canyon, along with potential implications for our understanding of the impacts of anthropogenic seafloor disturbances, such as seabed mining.
Bigham et al. (2024) Recovery of deep-sea meiofauna community in Kaikōura Canyon following an earthquake-triggered turbidity flow. PeerJ 12:e17367 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17367
TIN-X version 3: update with expanded dataset and modernized architecture for enhanced illumination of understudied targets
TIN-X (Target Importance and Novelty eXplorer) is an interactive visualization tool for illuminating associations between diseases and potential drug targets and is publicly available at newdrugtargets.org. TIN-X uses natural language processing to identify disease and protein mentions within PubMed content using previously published tools for named entity recognition (NER) of gene/protein and disease names. Target data is obtained from the Target Central Resource Database (TCRD). Two important metrics, novelty and importance, are computed from this data and when plotted as log(importance) vs. log(novelty), aid the user in visually exploring the novelty of drug targets and their associated importance to diseases. TIN-X Version 3.0 has been significantly improved with an expanded dataset, modernized architecture including a REST API, and an improved user interface (UI). The dataset has been expanded to include not only PubMed publication titles and abstracts, but also full-text articles when available. This results in approximately 9-fold more target/disease associations compared to previous versions of TIN-X. Additionally, the TIN-X database containing this expanded dataset is now hosted in the cloud via Amazon RDS. Recent enhancements to the UI focuses on making it more intuitive for users to find diseases or drug targets of interest while providing a new, sortable table-view mode to accompany the existing plot-view mode. UI improvements also help the user browse the associated PubMed publications to explore and understand the basis of TIN-X’s predicted association between a specific disease and a target of interest. While implementing these upgrades, computational resources are balanced between the webserver and the user’s web browser to achieve adequate performance while accommodating the expanded dataset. Together, these advances aim to extend the duration that users can benefit from TIN-X while providing both an expanded dataset and new features that researchers can use to better illuminate understudied proteins.
Metzger et al. (2024) TIN-X version 3: update with expanded dataset and modernized architecture for enhanced illumination of understudied targets. PeerJ 12:e17470 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17470