PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
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
items: Identification of proteins related to SIS3 by iTRAQ and PRM-based comparative proteomic analysis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury
items: Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell
items: The role of attention bias malleability in experiencing pain and associated disability
items: Peripheral blood immune cell parameters in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical cancer and their clinical value: a retrospective study

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.

Identification of proteins related to SIS3 by iTRAQ and PRM-based comparative proteomic analysis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Cisplatin is a commonly used nephrotoxic drug and can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). In the present study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)-based comparative proteomics were used to analyze differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) to determine the key molecular mechanism in mice with cisplatin-induced AKI in the presence or absence of SIS3, a specific p-smad3 inhibitor, intervention. Methods The cisplatin-induced AKI mouse model was established and treated with SIS3. We used iTRAQ to search for DEPs, PRM to verify key DEPs and combined Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) for bioinformatics analysis. We then assessed lipid deposition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and detected the expression of SREBF1, SCD1, CPT1A, PPARα and NDRG1 in vitro. Results Proteomic analysis showed that the identified DEPs were mainly enriched in energy metabolism pathways, especially in lipid metabolism. When SIS3 was applied to inhibit the phosphorylation of Smad3, the expression of NDRG1 and fatty acid oxidation key proteins CPT1A and PPARα increased, the expression of lipid synthesis related proteins SREBF1 and SCD1 decreased and the production of lipid droplets, MDA and ROS decreased. Conclusion SIS3 alleviates oxidative stress, reduces lipid accumulation and promotes fatty acid oxidation through NDRG1 in cisplatin-induced AKI. Our study provides a new candidate protein for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid metabolism disorders in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jiayan Huang
creator: Jian Ye
creator: Yi Gao
creator: Yu Wang
creator: Qing Zhao
creator: Tanqi Lou
creator: Weiyan Lai
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Toxicology
subject: Nephrology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17485
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Huang et al.
abstract: Background Cisplatin is a commonly used nephrotoxic drug and can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). In the present study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)-based comparative proteomics were used to analyze differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) to determine the key molecular mechanism in mice with cisplatin-induced AKI in the presence or absence of SIS3, a specific p-smad3 inhibitor, intervention. Methods The cisplatin-induced AKI mouse model was established and treated with SIS3. We used iTRAQ to search for DEPs, PRM to verify key DEPs and combined Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) for bioinformatics analysis. We then assessed lipid deposition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and detected the expression of SREBF1, SCD1, CPT1A, PPARα and NDRG1 in vitro. Results Proteomic analysis showed that the identified DEPs were mainly enriched in energy metabolism pathways, especially in lipid metabolism. When SIS3 was applied to inhibit the phosphorylation of Smad3, the expression of NDRG1 and fatty acid oxidation key proteins CPT1A and PPARα increased, the expression of lipid synthesis related proteins SREBF1 and SCD1 decreased and the production of lipid droplets, MDA and ROS decreased. Conclusion SIS3 alleviates oxidative stress, reduces lipid accumulation and promotes fatty acid oxidation through NDRG1 in cisplatin-induced AKI. Our study provides a new candidate protein for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid metabolism disorders in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.
bibliographic citation: Huang et al. (2024) Identification of proteins related to SIS3 by iTRAQ and PRM-based comparative proteomic analysis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. PeerJ 12:e17485 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17485
date submitted: 2024-01-12
date accepted: 2024-05-08
issued: 2024-06-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Jiayan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Qing
author list: Agent
  family name: Lou
  given name: Tanqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Lai
  given name: Weiyan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17485
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-04
copyright: ©2024 Huang et al.
attribution name: Huang et al.

Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) growth and the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel in this process. Methods The viability of HCT116 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein expression of TRPM4. The apoptosis of HCT116 cells was determined using TUNEL and Flow cytometry. Cell migration was assessed through the cell scratch recovery assay and Transwell cell migration assay. Additionally, Transwell cell invasion assay was performed to determine the invasion ability of HCT116 cells. Results ATO suppressed the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decline in cell migration and invasion, and an increase in apoptosis. 9-phenanthroline (9-Ph), a specific inhibitor of TRPM4, abrogated the ATO-induced upregulation of TRPM4 expression. Additionally, blocking TRPM4 reversed the effects of ATO on HCT116 cells proliferation, including restoration of cell viability, migration and invasion, as well as the inhibition of apoptosis. Conclusion ATO inhibits CRC cell growth by inducing TRPM4 expression, our findings indicate that ATO is a promising therapeutic strategy and TRPM4 may be a novel target for the treatment of CRC.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhan Gao
creator: Jing Lv
creator: Ting-Ting Tong
creator: Kai Zhang
creator: Yu-Xuan Han
creator: Yu Zhao
creator: Mei-Mei Shen
creator: Yang Liu
creator: Tao Ban
creator: Yu Sun
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Oncology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17559
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gao et al.
abstract: Background To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) growth and the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel in this process. Methods The viability of HCT116 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein expression of TRPM4. The apoptosis of HCT116 cells was determined using TUNEL and Flow cytometry. Cell migration was assessed through the cell scratch recovery assay and Transwell cell migration assay. Additionally, Transwell cell invasion assay was performed to determine the invasion ability of HCT116 cells. Results ATO suppressed the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decline in cell migration and invasion, and an increase in apoptosis. 9-phenanthroline (9-Ph), a specific inhibitor of TRPM4, abrogated the ATO-induced upregulation of TRPM4 expression. Additionally, blocking TRPM4 reversed the effects of ATO on HCT116 cells proliferation, including restoration of cell viability, migration and invasion, as well as the inhibition of apoptosis. Conclusion ATO inhibits CRC cell growth by inducing TRPM4 expression, our findings indicate that ATO is a promising therapeutic strategy and TRPM4 may be a novel target for the treatment of CRC.
bibliographic citation: Gao et al. (2024) Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell. PeerJ 12:e17559 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17559
date submitted: 2024-04-16
date accepted: 2024-05-21
issued: 2024-06-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Zhan
author list: Agent
  family name: Lv
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Tong
  given name: Ting-Ting
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Kai
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Yu-Xuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Mei-Mei
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Ban
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Yu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17559
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-04
copyright: ©2024 Gao et al.
attribution name: Gao et al.

The role of attention bias malleability in experiencing pain and associated disability
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Attentional processing of pain has been theorized to play a key role in the severity of pain and associated disability. In particular attentional bias towards pain information, resulting in poor pain outcomes, has been extensively researched. Recently, the idea was put forward that attention bias malleability (AM), i.e., the readiness to acquire an attentional bias irrespective of its direction, may be key in predicting poor pain outcomes. We tested this hypothesis in two studies. Methods In Study 1, 55 healthy participants completed an AM paradigm, followed by an experimental heat pain paradigm probing pain experience and pain-related task interference. In Study 2, 71 people with chronic pain completed an AM paradigm and questionnaires probing pain experience and associated disability. Results In Study 1, including healthy participants, no relationship was found between AM indices and experimental pain outcomes. In Study 2, including chronic pain patients, results indicated that higher levels of overall AM were related to higher levels of pain experience and disability. Conclusion This study partially supports the hypotheses that the degree to which individuals can adapt their attentional preference in line with changing environmental conditions is associated with poor pain outcomes. However, future research is needed to clarify inconsistent findings between healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients as well as to determine the causal status of AM in poor pain outcomes.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Justine L. Mac Goris
creator: Jemma Todd
creator: Patrick J.F. Clarke
creator: Alicia M. Hughes
creator: Claus Vögele
creator: Dimitri M.L. Van Ryckeghem
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Neurology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17430
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Mac Goris et al.
abstract: Background Attentional processing of pain has been theorized to play a key role in the severity of pain and associated disability. In particular attentional bias towards pain information, resulting in poor pain outcomes, has been extensively researched. Recently, the idea was put forward that attention bias malleability (AM), i.e., the readiness to acquire an attentional bias irrespective of its direction, may be key in predicting poor pain outcomes. We tested this hypothesis in two studies. Methods In Study 1, 55 healthy participants completed an AM paradigm, followed by an experimental heat pain paradigm probing pain experience and pain-related task interference. In Study 2, 71 people with chronic pain completed an AM paradigm and questionnaires probing pain experience and associated disability. Results In Study 1, including healthy participants, no relationship was found between AM indices and experimental pain outcomes. In Study 2, including chronic pain patients, results indicated that higher levels of overall AM were related to higher levels of pain experience and disability. Conclusion This study partially supports the hypotheses that the degree to which individuals can adapt their attentional preference in line with changing environmental conditions is associated with poor pain outcomes. However, future research is needed to clarify inconsistent findings between healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients as well as to determine the causal status of AM in poor pain outcomes.
bibliographic citation: Mac Goris et al. (2024) The role of attention bias malleability in experiencing pain and associated disability. PeerJ 12:e17430 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17430
date submitted: 2023-08-01
date accepted: 2024-04-29
issued: 2024-06-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mac Goris
  given name: Justine L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Todd
  given name: Jemma
author list: Agent
  family name: Clarke
  given name: Patrick J.F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hughes
  given name: Alicia M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vögele
  given name: Claus
author list: Agent
  family name: Van Ryckeghem
  given name: Dimitri M.L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17430
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-03
copyright: ©2024 Mac Goris et al.
attribution name: Mac Goris et al.

Peripheral blood immune cell parameters in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical cancer and their clinical value: a retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective The objective of this study was to delineate the profile of peripheral blood lymphocytic indices in patients afflicted with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and cervical neoplasms, and to elucidate the correlation of these hematologic markers with the clinicopathological spectra in individuals diagnosed with cervical carcinoma. Methods We adopted a retrospective case-control modality for this investigation. An aggregate of 39 HSIL patients and 42 cervical carcinoma patients, who were treated in our facility from July 2020 to September 2023, were meticulously selected. Each case of cervical malignancy was confirmed through rigorous histopathological scrutiny. Concomitantly, 31 healthy female individuals, who underwent prophylactic health evaluations during the corresponding timeframe, were enlisted as the baseline control group. We systematically gathered and analyzed clinical demographics, as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), from peripheral blood samples. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was deployed to dissect the interrelation between peripheral NLR and PLR concentrations and the clinicopathological features in the cervical cancer group. Results Inter-group comparative analysis unveiled statistically substantial variances in the PLR and NLR values among the tripartite clusters (F = 36.941, 14.998, P < 0.001, respectively). Although discrepancy in NLR (P = 0.061) and PLR (P = 0.759) measures between the groups of cervical carcinoma and HSIL was not statistically appreciable, these indices were markedly elevated in the cervical carcinoma faction as juxtaposed with the normative control group (t = 5.094, 5.927; P < 0.001 for both parameters). A discernible gradation in peripheral blood PLR and NLR concentrations was noted when stratified by clinical stage and the profundity of myometrial invasion in cervical cancer subjects (P < 0.001). The correlation matrix demonstrated a positive …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ling Wang
creator: Yuyan Dong
subject: Oncology
subject: Pathology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17499
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Wang and Dong
abstract: Objective The objective of this study was to delineate the profile of peripheral blood lymphocytic indices in patients afflicted with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and cervical neoplasms, and to elucidate the correlation of these hematologic markers with the clinicopathological spectra in individuals diagnosed with cervical carcinoma. Methods We adopted a retrospective case-control modality for this investigation. An aggregate of 39 HSIL patients and 42 cervical carcinoma patients, who were treated in our facility from July 2020 to September 2023, were meticulously selected. Each case of cervical malignancy was confirmed through rigorous histopathological scrutiny. Concomitantly, 31 healthy female individuals, who underwent prophylactic health evaluations during the corresponding timeframe, were enlisted as the baseline control group. We systematically gathered and analyzed clinical demographics, as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), from peripheral blood samples. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was deployed to dissect the interrelation between peripheral NLR and PLR concentrations and the clinicopathological features in the cervical cancer group. Results Inter-group comparative analysis unveiled statistically substantial variances in the PLR and NLR values among the tripartite clusters (F = 36.941, 14.998, P < 0.001, respectively). Although discrepancy in NLR (P = 0.061) and PLR (P = 0.759) measures between the groups of cervical carcinoma and HSIL was not statistically appreciable, these indices were markedly elevated in the cervical carcinoma faction as juxtaposed with the normative control group (t = 5.094, 5.927; P < 0.001 for both parameters). A discernible gradation in peripheral blood PLR and NLR concentrations was noted when stratified by clinical stage and the profundity of myometrial invasion in cervical cancer subjects (P < 0.001). The correlation matrix demonstrated a positive …
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2024) Peripheral blood immune cell parameters in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical cancer and their clinical value: a retrospective study. PeerJ 12:e17499 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17499
date submitted: 2023-12-30
date accepted: 2024-05-10
issued: 2024-06-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: Dong
  given name: Yuyan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17499
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-03
copyright: ©2024 Wang and Dong
attribution name: Wang and Dong

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