PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Agreement and differences between the equations for estimating muscle and bone mass using the anthropometric method in recreational strength trainees
items: Research advances in predicting the expansion of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage based on CT images: an overview
items: The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and its metal nanoparticles in oral bacteria
items: Lumbar extension peak-torque, muscle endurance and motor imagery in junior-elite basketballers with and without a history of low back pain: a pilot study
items: Movement patterns of two reintegrated African elephant (Loxodonta africana) herds: transitioning from captivity to free-living
items: Electrocortical theta activity may reflect sensory prediction errors during adaptation to a gradual gait perturbation
items: Fast grassland recovery from viable propagules after reintroducing traditional mowing management on a steep slope
items: Predictive value of plasma ephrinB2 levels for amputation risk following endovascular revascularization in peripheral artery disease
items: Land cover and space use influence coyote carnivory: evidence from stable-isotope analysis
items: Mitigating NaCl stress in Vigna radiata L. cultivars using Bacillus pseudomycoides

Agreement and differences between the equations for estimating muscle and bone mass using the anthropometric method in recreational strength trainees
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Introduction The interest in estimating muscle mass (MM) and bone mass (BM) has grown in the sporting arena, and more specifically in recreational strength trainees, leading to the creation of different strategies to assess them. The aims were: 1) to investigate the agreement between different MM and BM formulas, and the muscle-bone index (MBI), and to establish the differences between them, in a healthy young adult population; and 2) to analyze if there are differences between males and females in the comparison of MM, BM and MBI formulas. Methods This study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 130 adult active recreational strength trainees were evaluated according to the procedures described by the International Society for the Advancement in Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Estimations were made in kilograms of MM and BM by following the equations by different authors. Results The results showed significant differences between the values obtained by all the MM and BM formulas in the general sample (p < 0.001), and by the majority of formulas for male and female samples. In the general sample, Lin’s coefficient indicated a strong agreement between Kerr, Lee, and Poortmans’ MM estimation equations (concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.96–0.97). However, when stratifying by sex, this agreement persisted only in males (CCC = 0.90–0.94), in contrast with a lack of agreement observed in females (CCC < 0.90). Discrepancies in bone mass agreement were noted both in the general sample (CCC < 0.15) and when stratified by sex (CCC < 0.12). Conclusions In general, differences were found between the values reported by the MM and BM formulas in recreational strength trainees, without an agreement between them. Sex was shown to significantly influence the differences found. The practical implications are that when comparing an individual with reference tables, other studies, or if analyzing an individual’s evolution, the same estimation equation should be…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nicolás Baglietto
creator: Mario Albaladejo-Saura
creator: Francisco Esparza-Ros
creator: Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
subject: Nutrition
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17506
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Baglietto et al.
abstract: Introduction The interest in estimating muscle mass (MM) and bone mass (BM) has grown in the sporting arena, and more specifically in recreational strength trainees, leading to the creation of different strategies to assess them. The aims were: 1) to investigate the agreement between different MM and BM formulas, and the muscle-bone index (MBI), and to establish the differences between them, in a healthy young adult population; and 2) to analyze if there are differences between males and females in the comparison of MM, BM and MBI formulas. Methods This study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 130 adult active recreational strength trainees were evaluated according to the procedures described by the International Society for the Advancement in Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Estimations were made in kilograms of MM and BM by following the equations by different authors. Results The results showed significant differences between the values obtained by all the MM and BM formulas in the general sample (p < 0.001), and by the majority of formulas for male and female samples. In the general sample, Lin’s coefficient indicated a strong agreement between Kerr, Lee, and Poortmans’ MM estimation equations (concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.96–0.97). However, when stratifying by sex, this agreement persisted only in males (CCC = 0.90–0.94), in contrast with a lack of agreement observed in females (CCC < 0.90). Discrepancies in bone mass agreement were noted both in the general sample (CCC < 0.15) and when stratified by sex (CCC < 0.12). Conclusions In general, differences were found between the values reported by the MM and BM formulas in recreational strength trainees, without an agreement between them. Sex was shown to significantly influence the differences found. The practical implications are that when comparing an individual with reference tables, other studies, or if analyzing an individual’s evolution, the same estimation equation should be…
bibliographic citation: Baglietto et al. (2024) Agreement and differences between the equations for estimating muscle and bone mass using the anthropometric method in recreational strength trainees. PeerJ 12:e17506 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17506
date submitted: 2024-02-02
date accepted: 2024-05-13
issued: 2024-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Baglietto
  given name: Nicolás
author list: Agent
  family name: Albaladejo-Saura
  given name: Mario
author list: Agent
  family name: Esparza-Ros
  given name: Francisco
author list: Agent
  family name: Vaquero-Cristóbal
  given name: Raquel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17506
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-07
copyright: © 2024 Baglietto et al.
attribution name: Baglietto et al.

Research advances in predicting the expansion of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage based on CT images: an overview
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Hematoma expansion (HE) is an important risk factor for death or poor prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Accurately predicting the risk of HE in patients with HICH is of great clinical significance for timely intervention and improving patient prognosis. Many imaging signs reported in literatures showed the important clinical value for predicting HE. In recent years, the development of radiomics and artificial intelligence has provided new methods for HE prediction with high accuracy. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research progress in CT imaging, radiomics, and artificial intelligence of HE, in order to help identify high-risk patients for HE in clinical practice.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Min Ai
creator: Hanghang Zhang
creator: Junbang Feng
creator: Hongying Chen
creator: Di Liu
creator: Chang Li
creator: Fei Yu
creator: Chuanming Li
subject: Neurology
subject: Radiology and Medical Imaging
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17556
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Ai et al.
abstract: Hematoma expansion (HE) is an important risk factor for death or poor prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Accurately predicting the risk of HE in patients with HICH is of great clinical significance for timely intervention and improving patient prognosis. Many imaging signs reported in literatures showed the important clinical value for predicting HE. In recent years, the development of radiomics and artificial intelligence has provided new methods for HE prediction with high accuracy. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research progress in CT imaging, radiomics, and artificial intelligence of HE, in order to help identify high-risk patients for HE in clinical practice.
bibliographic citation: Ai et al. (2024) Research advances in predicting the expansion of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage based on CT images: an overview. PeerJ 12:e17556 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17556
date submitted: 2024-02-01
date accepted: 2024-05-21
issued: 2024-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Ai
  given name: Min
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Hanghang
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Junbang
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Hongying
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Di
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Chang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Chuanming
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17556
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-07
copyright: © 2024 Ai et al.
attribution name: Ai et al.

The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and its metal nanoparticles in oral bacteria
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil (TTO) is an antimicrobial agent, and hence, its use in fabricating nanoparticles (NP) may be useful in providing more efficacious antimicrobial agents. The current research aimed to test the antimicrobial efficacy of TTO and its TTO-Metal-NPs against oral microbes: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans. The antimicrobial activity of TTO and zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) and the combined effects of antimicrobial agents were investigated using agar well diffusion assays. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify the phyto-constituents of TTO. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scatter (DLS), and zeta potential were utilized to analyze the biogenic nanoparticles’ morphology, size, and potential. The antimicrobial mode of action was determined by assessing the morphological changes under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TTO extracts converted Zn and Fe ions to NPs, having an average size of 97.50 (ZnNPs) and 102.4 nm (FeNPs). All tested agents had significant antibacterial efficacy against the tested oral microbes. However, the TTO extract was more efficacious than the NPs. Combination treatment of TTO with antibiotics resulted in partial additive effects against P. gingivalis and partial antagonistic effects against E. faecalis, S. mutans, and common mouthwashes (Oral B and chlorhexidine). TTO and NP-treated bacteria underwent morphological changes on treatment. M. alternifolia phytochemicals could be useful for further research and development of antimicrobial NPs. The current study highlights the variance in activity observed for different types of bacteria and antagonistic effects seen with common mouthwashes, which represent a threat to therapeutic efficacy and heighten the risk of clinical microbial resistance.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Afrah E. Mohammed
creator: Reham M. Aldahasi
creator: Ishrat Rahman
creator: Ashwag Shami
creator: Modhi Alotaibi
creator: Munerah S. BinShabaib
creator: Shatha S. ALHarthi
creator: Kawther Aabed
subject: Microbiology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17241
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Mohammed et al.
abstract: Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil (TTO) is an antimicrobial agent, and hence, its use in fabricating nanoparticles (NP) may be useful in providing more efficacious antimicrobial agents. The current research aimed to test the antimicrobial efficacy of TTO and its TTO-Metal-NPs against oral microbes: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans. The antimicrobial activity of TTO and zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) and the combined effects of antimicrobial agents were investigated using agar well diffusion assays. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify the phyto-constituents of TTO. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scatter (DLS), and zeta potential were utilized to analyze the biogenic nanoparticles’ morphology, size, and potential. The antimicrobial mode of action was determined by assessing the morphological changes under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TTO extracts converted Zn and Fe ions to NPs, having an average size of 97.50 (ZnNPs) and 102.4 nm (FeNPs). All tested agents had significant antibacterial efficacy against the tested oral microbes. However, the TTO extract was more efficacious than the NPs. Combination treatment of TTO with antibiotics resulted in partial additive effects against P. gingivalis and partial antagonistic effects against E. faecalis, S. mutans, and common mouthwashes (Oral B and chlorhexidine). TTO and NP-treated bacteria underwent morphological changes on treatment. M. alternifolia phytochemicals could be useful for further research and development of antimicrobial NPs. The current study highlights the variance in activity observed for different types of bacteria and antagonistic effects seen with common mouthwashes, which represent a threat to therapeutic efficacy and heighten the risk of clinical microbial resistance.
bibliographic citation: Mohammed et al. (2024) The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and its metal nanoparticles in oral bacteria. PeerJ 12:e17241 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17241
date submitted: 2023-11-27
date accepted: 2024-03-25
issued: 2024-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohammed
  given name: Afrah E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aldahasi
  given name: Reham M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rahman
  given name: Ishrat
author list: Agent
  family name: Shami
  given name: Ashwag
author list: Agent
  family name: Alotaibi
  given name: Modhi
author list: Agent
  family name: BinShabaib
  given name: Munerah S.
author list: Agent
  family name: ALHarthi
  given name: Shatha S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aabed
  given name: Kawther
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17241
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-06
copyright: ©2024 Mohammed et al.
attribution name: Mohammed et al.

Lumbar extension peak-torque, muscle endurance and motor imagery in junior-elite basketballers with and without a history of low back pain: a pilot study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is common in elite athletes. Several peripheral and central factors have been identified to be altered in non-athletic LBP populations, however whether these alterations also exist in elite athletes with LBP is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether elite basketballers with a history of persistent LBP perform worse than those without LBP at a lumbar muscle endurance task, a lumbar extension peak-torque task, and a lumbar motor imagery task. Method An observational pilot study. Twenty junior elite-level male basketballers with (n = 11) and without (n = 9) a history of persistent LBP were recruited. Athletes completed a lumbar extensor muscle endurance (Biering-Sorensen) task, two lumbar extensor peak-torque (modified Biering-Sorensen) tasks and two motor imagery (left/right lumbar and hand judgement) tasks across two sessions (48 hours apart). Performance in these tasks were compared between the groups with and without a history of LBP. Results Young athletes with a history of LBP had reduced lumbar extensor muscle endurance (p < 0.001), reduced lumbar extension peak-torque (p < 0.001), and were less accurate at the left/right lumbar judgement task (p = 0.02) but no less accurate at a left/right hand judgement task (p = 0.59), than athletes without a history of LBP. Response times for both left/right judgement tasks did not differ between groups (lumbar p = 0.24; hand p = 0.58). Conclusions Junior elite male basketballers with a history of LBP demonstrate reduced lumbar extensor muscle endurance and lumbar extension peak-torque and are less accurate at a left/right lumbar rotation judgement task, than those without LBP.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tim Glazebrook
creator: Jennifer Cooke
creator: Gordon Waddington
creator: Sarah B. Wallwork
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Sports Injury
subject: Rehabilitation
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17508
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Glazebrook et al.
abstract: Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is common in elite athletes. Several peripheral and central factors have been identified to be altered in non-athletic LBP populations, however whether these alterations also exist in elite athletes with LBP is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether elite basketballers with a history of persistent LBP perform worse than those without LBP at a lumbar muscle endurance task, a lumbar extension peak-torque task, and a lumbar motor imagery task. Method An observational pilot study. Twenty junior elite-level male basketballers with (n = 11) and without (n = 9) a history of persistent LBP were recruited. Athletes completed a lumbar extensor muscle endurance (Biering-Sorensen) task, two lumbar extensor peak-torque (modified Biering-Sorensen) tasks and two motor imagery (left/right lumbar and hand judgement) tasks across two sessions (48 hours apart). Performance in these tasks were compared between the groups with and without a history of LBP. Results Young athletes with a history of LBP had reduced lumbar extensor muscle endurance (p < 0.001), reduced lumbar extension peak-torque (p < 0.001), and were less accurate at the left/right lumbar judgement task (p = 0.02) but no less accurate at a left/right hand judgement task (p = 0.59), than athletes without a history of LBP. Response times for both left/right judgement tasks did not differ between groups (lumbar p = 0.24; hand p = 0.58). Conclusions Junior elite male basketballers with a history of LBP demonstrate reduced lumbar extensor muscle endurance and lumbar extension peak-torque and are less accurate at a left/right lumbar rotation judgement task, than those without LBP.
bibliographic citation: Glazebrook et al. (2024) Lumbar extension peak-torque, muscle endurance and motor imagery in junior-elite basketballers with and without a history of low back pain: a pilot study. PeerJ 12:e17508 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17508
date submitted: 2023-10-20
date accepted: 2024-05-13
issued: 2024-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Glazebrook
  given name: Tim
author list: Agent
  family name: Cooke
  given name: Jennifer
author list: Agent
  family name: Waddington
  given name: Gordon
author list: Agent
  family name: Wallwork
  given name: Sarah B.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17508
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-06
copyright: ©2024 Glazebrook et al.
attribution name: Glazebrook et al.

Movement patterns of two reintegrated African elephant (Loxodonta africana) herds: transitioning from captivity to free-living
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: With the escalating challenges in captive elephant management, the study of elephant reintegration emerges as a pivotal area of research, primarily addressing the enhancement of animal welfare. The term ‘reintegration’ refers to the process of rehabilitating captive elephants to a natural system, allowing them to roam freely without intensive human intervention. There is a relative paucity of research addressing the behavioural adaptations post-reintegration, despite reintegration of over 20 elephants across various fenced reserves in South Africa. Our study centres on two distinct herds of reintegrated African elephants, monitoring their movement patterns in two South African reserves over a 57-month period post-release. The primary goal of the study was to establish whether the flexibility and adaptability of movement behaviour of reintegrated elephants can be considered as one of the indicators of determining the success of such an operation. The second aim of our study was to investigate if the reintegrated elephants demonstrated an adaptability to their environment through their hourly, daily, and seasonal ranging patterns after a period of free roaming that exceeded 4 years. Our findings indicated that reintegrated elephants, much like their wild counterparts (movement based on literature), displayed notable seasonal and diurnal variations in key movement parameters, such as utilisation distribution areas and reserve utilization. These patterns changed over time, reflecting an adaptive shift in movement patterns after several years of free roaming. Notably, the trajectory of changes in movement parameters varied between herds, indicating unique adaptation responses, likely resulting from differences in the reintegration process (familiarity of reserve, season of release, presence of wild elephants). Although our study is constrained by the limited number of reintegrated herds available for analysis, it underscores the potential of captive elephants to successf…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tenisha Roos
creator: Andrew Purdon
creator: Victoria Boult
creator: Audrey Delsink
creator: Brett Mitchell
creator: Petrus Johannes Kilian
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17535
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Roos et al.
abstract: With the escalating challenges in captive elephant management, the study of elephant reintegration emerges as a pivotal area of research, primarily addressing the enhancement of animal welfare. The term ‘reintegration’ refers to the process of rehabilitating captive elephants to a natural system, allowing them to roam freely without intensive human intervention. There is a relative paucity of research addressing the behavioural adaptations post-reintegration, despite reintegration of over 20 elephants across various fenced reserves in South Africa. Our study centres on two distinct herds of reintegrated African elephants, monitoring their movement patterns in two South African reserves over a 57-month period post-release. The primary goal of the study was to establish whether the flexibility and adaptability of movement behaviour of reintegrated elephants can be considered as one of the indicators of determining the success of such an operation. The second aim of our study was to investigate if the reintegrated elephants demonstrated an adaptability to their environment through their hourly, daily, and seasonal ranging patterns after a period of free roaming that exceeded 4 years. Our findings indicated that reintegrated elephants, much like their wild counterparts (movement based on literature), displayed notable seasonal and diurnal variations in key movement parameters, such as utilisation distribution areas and reserve utilization. These patterns changed over time, reflecting an adaptive shift in movement patterns after several years of free roaming. Notably, the trajectory of changes in movement parameters varied between herds, indicating unique adaptation responses, likely resulting from differences in the reintegration process (familiarity of reserve, season of release, presence of wild elephants). Although our study is constrained by the limited number of reintegrated herds available for analysis, it underscores the potential of captive elephants to successf…
bibliographic citation: Roos et al. (2024) Movement patterns of two reintegrated African elephant (Loxodonta africana) herds: transitioning from captivity to free-living. PeerJ 12:e17535 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17535
date submitted: 2023-12-22
date accepted: 2024-05-17
issued: 2024-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Roos
  given name: Tenisha
author list: Agent
  family name: Purdon
  given name: Andrew
author list: Agent
  family name: Boult
  given name: Victoria
author list: Agent
  family name: Delsink
  given name: Audrey
author list: Agent
  family name: Mitchell
  given name: Brett
author list: Agent
  family name: Kilian
  given name: Petrus Johannes
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17535
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-06
copyright: © 2024 Roos et al.
attribution name: Roos et al.

Electrocortical theta activity may reflect sensory prediction errors during adaptation to a gradual gait perturbation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Locomotor adaptation to abrupt and gradual perturbations are likely driven by fundamentally different neural processes. The aim of this study was to quantify brain dynamics associated with gait adaptation to a gradually introduced gait perturbation, which typically results in smaller behavioral errors relative to an abrupt perturbation. Loss of balance during standing and walking elicits transient increases in midfrontal theta oscillations that have been shown to scale with perturbation intensity. We hypothesized there would be no significant change in anterior cingulate theta power (4–7 Hz) with respect to pre-adaptation when a gait perturbation is introduced gradually because the gradual perturbation acceleration and stepping kinematic errors are small relative to an abrupt perturbation. Using mobile electroencephalography (EEG), we measured gait-related spectral changes near the anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, sensorimotor, and posterior parietal cortices as young, neurotypical adults (n = 30) adapted their gait to an incremental split-belt treadmill perturbation. Most cortical clusters we examined (>70%) did not exhibit changes in electrocortical activity between 2–50 Hz. However, we did observe gait-related theta synchronization near the left anterior cingulate cortex during strides with the largest errors, as measured by step length asymmetry. These results suggest gradual adaptation with small gait asymmetry and perturbation magnitude may not require significant cortical resources beyond normal treadmill walking. Nevertheless, the anterior cingulate may remain actively engaged in error monitoring, transmitting sensory prediction error information via theta oscillations.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Noelle A. Jacobsen
creator: Daniel Perry Ferris
subject: Bioengineering
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17451
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Jacobsen et al.
abstract: Locomotor adaptation to abrupt and gradual perturbations are likely driven by fundamentally different neural processes. The aim of this study was to quantify brain dynamics associated with gait adaptation to a gradually introduced gait perturbation, which typically results in smaller behavioral errors relative to an abrupt perturbation. Loss of balance during standing and walking elicits transient increases in midfrontal theta oscillations that have been shown to scale with perturbation intensity. We hypothesized there would be no significant change in anterior cingulate theta power (4–7 Hz) with respect to pre-adaptation when a gait perturbation is introduced gradually because the gradual perturbation acceleration and stepping kinematic errors are small relative to an abrupt perturbation. Using mobile electroencephalography (EEG), we measured gait-related spectral changes near the anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, sensorimotor, and posterior parietal cortices as young, neurotypical adults (n = 30) adapted their gait to an incremental split-belt treadmill perturbation. Most cortical clusters we examined (>70%) did not exhibit changes in electrocortical activity between 2–50 Hz. However, we did observe gait-related theta synchronization near the left anterior cingulate cortex during strides with the largest errors, as measured by step length asymmetry. These results suggest gradual adaptation with small gait asymmetry and perturbation magnitude may not require significant cortical resources beyond normal treadmill walking. Nevertheless, the anterior cingulate may remain actively engaged in error monitoring, transmitting sensory prediction error information via theta oscillations.
bibliographic citation: Jacobsen et al. (2024) Electrocortical theta activity may reflect sensory prediction errors during adaptation to a gradual gait perturbation. PeerJ 12:e17451 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17451
date submitted: 2023-11-28
date accepted: 2024-05-03
issued: 2024-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jacobsen
  given name: Noelle A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ferris
  given name: Daniel Perry
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17451
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-05
copyright: ©2024 Jacobsen et al.
attribution name: Jacobsen et al.

Fast grassland recovery from viable propagules after reintroducing traditional mowing management on a steep slope
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Semi-natural grasslands on steep slopes often show high plant species diversity. These grasslands were traditionally maintained through mowing and/or grazing. The traditional management practices help to maintain species diversity, whereas land abandonment reduces diversity by increasing competition from dominant species and reducing seedling recruitment. The reintroduction of management can reverse species diversity declines, but suitable grassland restoration programs are scarce in Japan. To study the effect of short-term abandonment on seedling ecology, we monitored the vegetation of a Susogari grassland that had been abandoned for 3 years; the grassland occupies a steep slope (ca. 50°) on a hillside above paddy fields, and was traditionally mown. We monitored the vegetation before abandonment, in the 3rd year of abandonment, and in the 1st and 2nd years after restoration of mowing management. Emergence and survival of seedlings was monitored for 18 months after reintroduction of management. We monitored 1,183 seedlings of grassland species and non-target annuals in ten 1-m2 plots. After mowing was reintroduced, most grassland species reappeared or increased in the first and second years. Few seedlings of perennial plants and no seedlings of annuals flowered. An exotic species, Solidago altissima, had a lower survival rate (10%) than grassland species (>30%), and all but two grassland species survived over the 18-month period. Although vegetation composition was not fully recovered, our findings suggest that a steep slope acts as a strong filter that inhibits the establishment of non-target species while enhancing persistence of target grassland species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Susumu Yamada
creator: Wakana Yoshida
creator: Minori Iida
creator: Yoshiko Kitagawa
creator: Jonathan Mitchley
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17487
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Yamada et al.
abstract: Semi-natural grasslands on steep slopes often show high plant species diversity. These grasslands were traditionally maintained through mowing and/or grazing. The traditional management practices help to maintain species diversity, whereas land abandonment reduces diversity by increasing competition from dominant species and reducing seedling recruitment. The reintroduction of management can reverse species diversity declines, but suitable grassland restoration programs are scarce in Japan. To study the effect of short-term abandonment on seedling ecology, we monitored the vegetation of a Susogari grassland that had been abandoned for 3 years; the grassland occupies a steep slope (ca. 50°) on a hillside above paddy fields, and was traditionally mown. We monitored the vegetation before abandonment, in the 3rd year of abandonment, and in the 1st and 2nd years after restoration of mowing management. Emergence and survival of seedlings was monitored for 18 months after reintroduction of management. We monitored 1,183 seedlings of grassland species and non-target annuals in ten 1-m2 plots. After mowing was reintroduced, most grassland species reappeared or increased in the first and second years. Few seedlings of perennial plants and no seedlings of annuals flowered. An exotic species, Solidago altissima, had a lower survival rate (10%) than grassland species (>30%), and all but two grassland species survived over the 18-month period. Although vegetation composition was not fully recovered, our findings suggest that a steep slope acts as a strong filter that inhibits the establishment of non-target species while enhancing persistence of target grassland species.
bibliographic citation: Yamada et al. (2024) Fast grassland recovery from viable propagules after reintroducing traditional mowing management on a steep slope. PeerJ 12:e17487 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17487
date submitted: 2023-12-22
date accepted: 2024-05-08
issued: 2024-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yamada
  given name: Susumu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yoshida
  given name: Wakana
author list: Agent
  family name: Iida
  given name: Minori
author list: Agent
  family name: Kitagawa
  given name: Yoshiko
author list: Agent
  family name: Mitchley
  given name: Jonathan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17487
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-05
copyright: ©2024 Yamada et al.
attribution name: Yamada et al.

Predictive value of plasma ephrinB2 levels for amputation risk following endovascular revascularization in peripheral artery disease
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The aim of this study is to investigate the expression levels of ephrinB2 in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and explore its association with the severity of the disease and the risk of amputation after endovascular revascularization. Methods During the period from March 2021 to March 2023, this study collected blood samples and clinical data from 133 patients diagnosed with lower extremity PAD and 51 healthy volunteer donors. The severity of lower extremity PAD patients was classified using the Rutherford categories. The expression of ephrin-B2 in plasma samples was detected using the Western Blotting. Results Compared to the control group, the levels of serum ephrinB2 in patients were significantly elevated (p < 0.001). Moreover, the plasma EphrinB2 levels were positively correlated with white blood cell counts (r = 0.204, p = 0.018), neutrophil counts (r = 0.174, p = 0.045), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (r = 0.223, p = 0.009). Furthermore, the AUCs of plasma ephrinB2 level, NLR, and their combination as predictors for amputation events within 30 months after lower extremity PAD endovascular revascularization were 0.659, 0.730 and 0.811. In the high-ephrinB2 group, the incidence of amputation events within 30 months after endovascular revascularization was higher. Conclusions Plasma EphrinB2 levels may be linked to lower extremity PAD development, inflammation, and postoperative amputation. Combining EphrinB2 and NLR can improve amputation prediction accuracy after endovascular revascularization in lower extremity PAD patients.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pengcheng Guo
creator: Lei Chen
creator: Dafeng Yang
creator: Lei Zhang
creator: Chang Shu
creator: Huande Li
creator: Jieting Zhu
creator: Jienan Zhou
creator: Xin Li
subject: Global Health
subject: Immunology
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17531
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Guo et al.
abstract: Background The aim of this study is to investigate the expression levels of ephrinB2 in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and explore its association with the severity of the disease and the risk of amputation after endovascular revascularization. Methods During the period from March 2021 to March 2023, this study collected blood samples and clinical data from 133 patients diagnosed with lower extremity PAD and 51 healthy volunteer donors. The severity of lower extremity PAD patients was classified using the Rutherford categories. The expression of ephrin-B2 in plasma samples was detected using the Western Blotting. Results Compared to the control group, the levels of serum ephrinB2 in patients were significantly elevated (p < 0.001). Moreover, the plasma EphrinB2 levels were positively correlated with white blood cell counts (r = 0.204, p = 0.018), neutrophil counts (r = 0.174, p = 0.045), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (r = 0.223, p = 0.009). Furthermore, the AUCs of plasma ephrinB2 level, NLR, and their combination as predictors for amputation events within 30 months after lower extremity PAD endovascular revascularization were 0.659, 0.730 and 0.811. In the high-ephrinB2 group, the incidence of amputation events within 30 months after endovascular revascularization was higher. Conclusions Plasma EphrinB2 levels may be linked to lower extremity PAD development, inflammation, and postoperative amputation. Combining EphrinB2 and NLR can improve amputation prediction accuracy after endovascular revascularization in lower extremity PAD patients.
bibliographic citation: Guo et al. (2024) Predictive value of plasma ephrinB2 levels for amputation risk following endovascular revascularization in peripheral artery disease. PeerJ 12:e17531 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17531
date submitted: 2023-11-06
date accepted: 2024-05-17
issued: 2024-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Pengcheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Lei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Dafeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lei
author list: Agent
  family name: Shu
  given name: Chang
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Huande
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Jieting
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Jienan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17531
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-05
copyright: © 2024 Guo et al.
attribution name: Guo et al.

Land cover and space use influence coyote carnivory: evidence from stable-isotope analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: For many species, the relationship between space use and diet composition is complex, with individuals adopting varying space use strategies such as territoriality to facilitate resource acquisition. Coyotes (Canis latrans) exhibit two disparate types of space use; defending mutually exclusive territories (residents) or moving nomadically across landscapes (transients). Resident coyotes have increased access to familiar food resources, thus improved foraging opportunities to compensate for the energetic costs of defending territories. Conversely, transients do not defend territories and are able to redirect energetic costs of territorial defense towards extensive movements in search of mates and breeding opportunities. These differences in space use attributed to different behavioral strategies likely influence foraging and ultimately diet composition, but these relationships have not been well studied. We investigated diet composition of resident and transient coyotes in the southeastern United States by pairing individual space use patterns with analysis of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values to assess diet. During 2016–2017, we monitored 41 coyotes (26 residents, 15 transients) with GPS radio-collars along the Savannah River area in the southeastern United States. We observed a canopy effect on δ13C values and little anthropogenic food in coyote diets, suggesting 13C enrichment is likely more influenced by reduced canopy cover than consumption of human foods. We also observed other land cover effects, such as agricultural cover and road density, on δ15N values as well as reduced space used by coyotes, suggesting that cover types and localized, resident-like space use can influence the degree of carnivory in coyotes. Finally, diets and niche space did not differ between resident and transient coyotes despite differences observed in the proportional contribution of potential food sources to their diets. Although our stable isotope mixing models …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sarah C. Webster
creator: Joseph W. Hinton
creator: Michael J. Chamberlain
creator: Jazmin J. Murphy
creator: James C. Beasley
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17457
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Webster et al.
abstract: For many species, the relationship between space use and diet composition is complex, with individuals adopting varying space use strategies such as territoriality to facilitate resource acquisition. Coyotes (Canis latrans) exhibit two disparate types of space use; defending mutually exclusive territories (residents) or moving nomadically across landscapes (transients). Resident coyotes have increased access to familiar food resources, thus improved foraging opportunities to compensate for the energetic costs of defending territories. Conversely, transients do not defend territories and are able to redirect energetic costs of territorial defense towards extensive movements in search of mates and breeding opportunities. These differences in space use attributed to different behavioral strategies likely influence foraging and ultimately diet composition, but these relationships have not been well studied. We investigated diet composition of resident and transient coyotes in the southeastern United States by pairing individual space use patterns with analysis of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values to assess diet. During 2016–2017, we monitored 41 coyotes (26 residents, 15 transients) with GPS radio-collars along the Savannah River area in the southeastern United States. We observed a canopy effect on δ13C values and little anthropogenic food in coyote diets, suggesting 13C enrichment is likely more influenced by reduced canopy cover than consumption of human foods. We also observed other land cover effects, such as agricultural cover and road density, on δ15N values as well as reduced space used by coyotes, suggesting that cover types and localized, resident-like space use can influence the degree of carnivory in coyotes. Finally, diets and niche space did not differ between resident and transient coyotes despite differences observed in the proportional contribution of potential food sources to their diets. Although our stable isotope mixing models …
bibliographic citation: Webster et al. (2024) Land cover and space use influence coyote carnivory: evidence from stable-isotope analysis. PeerJ 12:e17457 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17457
date submitted: 2023-11-06
date accepted: 2024-05-03
issued: 2024-06-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Webster
  given name: Sarah C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hinton
  given name: Joseph W.
author list: Agent
  family name: Chamberlain
  given name: Michael J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Murphy
  given name: Jazmin J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Beasley
  given name: James C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17457
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-04
copyright: © 2024 Webster et al.
attribution name: Webster et al.

Mitigating NaCl stress in Vigna radiata L. cultivars using Bacillus pseudomycoides
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Salt stress is one of the significant abiotic stress factors that exert harmful effects on plant growth and yield. In this study, five cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were treated with different concentrations of NaCl and also inoculated with a salt-tolerant bacterial strain to assess their growth and yield. The bacterial strain was isolated from the saline soil of Sahiwal District, Punjab, Pakistan and identified as Bacillus pseudomycoides. Plant growth was monitored at 15-days interval and finally harvested after 120 days at seed set. Both sodium and potassium uptake in above and below-ground parts were assessed using a flame photometer. Fresh and dry mass, number of pods, seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant and weight of 100 seeds reduced significantly as the concentration of NaCl increased from 3 to 15 dSm−1. There was a significant reduction in the growth and yield of plants exposed to NaCl stress without bacterial inoculum compared to the plants with bacterial inoculum. The latter plants showed a significant increase in the studied parameters. It was found that the cultivar Inqelab mung showed the least reduction in growth and yield traits among the studied cultivars, while Ramzan mung showed the maximum reduction. Among all the cultivars, maximum Na+ uptake occurred in roots, while the least uptake was observed in seeds. The study concludes that NaCl stress significantly reduces the growth and yield of mung bean cultivars, but Bacillus pseudomycoides inoculum alleviates salt stress. These findings will be helpful to cultivate the selected cultivars in soils with varying concentrations of NaCl.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bushra Bilal
creator: Zafar Siddiq
creator: Tehreema Iftikhar
creator: Muhammad Umar Hayyat
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17465
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Bilal et al.
abstract: Salt stress is one of the significant abiotic stress factors that exert harmful effects on plant growth and yield. In this study, five cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were treated with different concentrations of NaCl and also inoculated with a salt-tolerant bacterial strain to assess their growth and yield. The bacterial strain was isolated from the saline soil of Sahiwal District, Punjab, Pakistan and identified as Bacillus pseudomycoides. Plant growth was monitored at 15-days interval and finally harvested after 120 days at seed set. Both sodium and potassium uptake in above and below-ground parts were assessed using a flame photometer. Fresh and dry mass, number of pods, seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant and weight of 100 seeds reduced significantly as the concentration of NaCl increased from 3 to 15 dSm−1. There was a significant reduction in the growth and yield of plants exposed to NaCl stress without bacterial inoculum compared to the plants with bacterial inoculum. The latter plants showed a significant increase in the studied parameters. It was found that the cultivar Inqelab mung showed the least reduction in growth and yield traits among the studied cultivars, while Ramzan mung showed the maximum reduction. Among all the cultivars, maximum Na+ uptake occurred in roots, while the least uptake was observed in seeds. The study concludes that NaCl stress significantly reduces the growth and yield of mung bean cultivars, but Bacillus pseudomycoides inoculum alleviates salt stress. These findings will be helpful to cultivate the selected cultivars in soils with varying concentrations of NaCl.
bibliographic citation: Bilal et al. (2024) Mitigating NaCl stress in Vigna radiata L. cultivars using Bacillus pseudomycoides. PeerJ 12:e17465 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17465
date submitted: 2024-01-25
date accepted: 2024-05-05
issued: 2024-06-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bilal
  given name: Bushra
author list: Agent
  family name: Siddiq
  given name: Zafar
author list: Agent
  family name: Iftikhar
  given name: Tehreema
author list: Agent
  family name: Hayyat
  given name: Muhammad Umar
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17465
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-04
copyright: © 2024 Bilal et al.
attribution name: Bilal et al.

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