Movement patterns of two reintegrated African elephant (Loxodonta africana) herds: transitioning from captivity to free-living
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 successfully adapt to a free-living environment, emphasising the promising implications of reintegration initiatives.
Spatial and Geographic Information Science
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
Electrocortical theta activity may reflect sensory prediction errors during adaptation to a gradual gait perturbation
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.
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
Fast grassland recovery from viable propagules after reintroducing traditional mowing management on a steep slope
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.
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
Predictive value of plasma ephrinB2 levels for amputation risk following endovascular revascularization in peripheral artery disease
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.
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
Land cover and space use influence coyote carnivory: evidence from stable-isotope analysis
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 detected differences between the diets of resident and transient coyotes, both relied mostly on mammalian prey (52.8%, SD = 15.9 for residents, 42.0%, SD = 15.6 for transients). Resident coyotes consumed more game birds (21.3%, SD = 11.6 vs 13.7%, SD = 8.8) and less fruit (10.5%, SD = 6.9 vs 21.3%, SD = 10.7) and insects (7.2%, SD = 4.7 vs 14.3%, SD = 8.5) than did transients. Our findings indicate that coyote populations fall on a feeding continuum of omnivory to carnivory in which variability in feeding strategies is influenced by land cover characteristics and space use behaviors.
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
Mitigating NaCl stress in Vigna radiata L. cultivars using Bacillus pseudomycoides
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.
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
Identification of proteins related to SIS3 by iTRAQ and PRM-based comparative proteomic analysis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury
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.
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
Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell
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.
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
The role of attention bias malleability in experiencing pain and associated disability
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.
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
Peripheral blood immune cell parameters in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical cancer and their clinical value: a retrospective study
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 liaison between peripheral blood PLR and the clinical gradation, as well as the invasiveness of the neoplastic cells into the muscularis propria (P < 0.05); a similar trend was observed with the NLR values (P < 0.05). Conclusion Augmented NLR and PLR levels in peripheral blood specimens are indicative of HSIL and cervical malignancy. These hematological parameters exhibit a pronounced interconnection with clinical staging and muscular wall penetration depth, serving as potential discriminative biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer.
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