PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Abiotic processes control carbon dioxide dynamics in temperate karst lakes
items: Sequence comparison of the mitochondrial genomes of Plesionika species (Caridea: Pandalidae), gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationships of Caridea
items: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enhances tolerance to landfill leachate stress by increasing trehalose synthesis
items: Determining the plant-pollinator network in a culturally significant food and medicine garden in the Great Lakes region
items: Temperature-size responses during ontogeny are independent of progenitors’ thermal environments
items: Dental pulp stem cells ameliorate D-galactose-induced cardiac ageing in rats
items: Awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among medical and allied health students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
items: Estimates on age, growth, and mortality of Leuciscus chuanchicus (Kessler 1876) in the Ningxia section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, China
items: Measuring multi-year changes in the Symbiodiniaceae algae in Caribbean corals on coral-depleted reefs
items: Pseudotargeted lipidomics analysis of scoparone on glycerophospholipid metabolism in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mice by LC-MRM-MS

Abiotic processes control carbon dioxide dynamics in temperate karst lakes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Inland waters are crucial in the carbon cycle, contributing significantly to the global CO2 fluxes. Carbonate lakes may act as both sources and sinks of CO2 depending on the interactions between the amount of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) inputs, lake metabolisms, and geochemical processes. It is often difficult to distinguish the dominant mechanisms driving CO2 dynamics and their effects on CO2 emissions. This study was undertaken in three groundwater-fed carbonate-rich lakes in central Spain (Ruidera Lakes), severely polluted with nitrates from agricultural overfertilization. Diel and seasonal (summer and winter) changes in CO2 concentration (CCO2) DIC, and CO2 emissions-(FCO2)-, as well as physical and chemical variables, including primary production and phytoplanktonic chlorophyll-a were measured. In addition, δ13C-DIC, δ13C-CO2 in lake waters, and δ13C of the sedimentary organic matter were measured seasonally to identify the primary CO2 sources and processes. While the lakes were consistently CCO2 supersaturated and FCO2 was released to the atmosphere during both seasons, the highest CCO2 and DIC were in summer (0.36–2.26 µmol L–1). Our results support a strong phosphorus limitation for primary production in these lakes, which impinges on CO2 dynamics. External DIC inputs to the lake waters primarily drive the CCO2 and, therefore, the FCO2. The δ13C-DIC signatures below –12‰ confirmed the primary geogenic influence on DIC. As also suggested by the high values on the calcite saturation index, the Miller-Tans plot revealed that the CO2 source in the lakes was close to the signature provided by the fractionation of δ13C-CO2 from calcite precipitation. Therefore, the main contribution behind the CCO2 values found in these karst lakes should be attributed to the calcite precipitation process, which is temperature-dependent according to the seasonal change observed in δ13C-DIC values. Finally, co-precipitation of phosphate with calcite could partly explain the ob…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mariana Vargas-Sánchez
creator: Javier Alcocer
creator: Eric Puche
creator: Salvador Sánchez-Carrillo
subject: Ecology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Freshwater Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
subject: Biogeochemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17393
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Vargas-Sánchez et al.
abstract: Inland waters are crucial in the carbon cycle, contributing significantly to the global CO2 fluxes. Carbonate lakes may act as both sources and sinks of CO2 depending on the interactions between the amount of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) inputs, lake metabolisms, and geochemical processes. It is often difficult to distinguish the dominant mechanisms driving CO2 dynamics and their effects on CO2 emissions. This study was undertaken in three groundwater-fed carbonate-rich lakes in central Spain (Ruidera Lakes), severely polluted with nitrates from agricultural overfertilization. Diel and seasonal (summer and winter) changes in CO2 concentration (CCO2) DIC, and CO2 emissions-(FCO2)-, as well as physical and chemical variables, including primary production and phytoplanktonic chlorophyll-a were measured. In addition, δ13C-DIC, δ13C-CO2 in lake waters, and δ13C of the sedimentary organic matter were measured seasonally to identify the primary CO2 sources and processes. While the lakes were consistently CCO2 supersaturated and FCO2 was released to the atmosphere during both seasons, the highest CCO2 and DIC were in summer (0.36–2.26 µmol L–1). Our results support a strong phosphorus limitation for primary production in these lakes, which impinges on CO2 dynamics. External DIC inputs to the lake waters primarily drive the CCO2 and, therefore, the FCO2. The δ13C-DIC signatures below –12‰ confirmed the primary geogenic influence on DIC. As also suggested by the high values on the calcite saturation index, the Miller-Tans plot revealed that the CO2 source in the lakes was close to the signature provided by the fractionation of δ13C-CO2 from calcite precipitation. Therefore, the main contribution behind the CCO2 values found in these karst lakes should be attributed to the calcite precipitation process, which is temperature-dependent according to the seasonal change observed in δ13C-DIC values. Finally, co-precipitation of phosphate with calcite could partly explain the ob…
bibliographic citation: Vargas-Sánchez et al. (2024) Abiotic processes control carbon dioxide dynamics in temperate karst lakes. PeerJ 12:e17393 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17393
date submitted: 2023-12-11
date accepted: 2024-04-25
issued: 2024-05-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vargas-Sánchez
  given name: Mariana
author list: Agent
  family name: Alcocer
  given name: Javier
author list: Agent
  family name: Puche
  given name: Eric
author list: Agent
  family name: Sánchez-Carrillo
  given name: Salvador
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17393
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-22
copyright: ©2024 Vargas-Sánchez et al.
attribution name: Vargas-Sánchez et al.

Sequence comparison of the mitochondrial genomes of Plesionika species (Caridea: Pandalidae), gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationships of Caridea
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Despite the Caridean shrimps’ vast species richness and ecological diversity, controversies persist in their molecular classification. Within Caridea, the Pandalidae family exemplifies significant taxonomic diversity. As of June 25, 2023, GenBank hosts only nine complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) for this family. The Plesionika genus within Pandalidae is recognized as polyphyletic. To improve our understanding of the mitogenome evolution and phylogenetic relationships of Caridea, this study introduces three novel mitogenome sequences from the Plesionika genus: P. ortmanni, P. izumiae and P. lophotes. Methods The complete mitochondrial genomes of three Plesionika species were sequenced utilizing Illumina’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. After assembling and annotating the mitogenomes, we conducted structural analyses to examine circular maps, sequence structure characteristics, base composition, amino acid content, and synonymous codon usage frequency. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed by integrating existing mitogenome sequences of true shrimp available in GenBank. Results The complete mitogenomes of the three Plesionika species encompass 37 canonical genes, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and one control region (CR). The lengths of these mitogenomes are as follows: 15,908 bp for P. ortmanni, 16,074 bp for P. izumiae and 15,933 bp for P. lophotes. Our analyses extended to their genomic features and structural functions, detailing base composition, gene arrangement, and codon usage. Additionally, we performed selection pressure analysis on the PCGs of all Pandalidae species available in Genbank, indicating evolutionary purification selection acted on the PCGs across Pandalidae species. Compared with the ancestral Caridea, translocation of two tRNA genes, i.e., trnP or trnT, were found in the two newly sequenced Plesionika species—P. izumiae and P. lopho…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yuman Sun
creator: Jian Chen
creator: Xinjie Liang
creator: Jiji Li
creator: Yingying Ye
creator: Kaida Xu
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Genomics
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17314
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Sun et al.
abstract: Background Despite the Caridean shrimps’ vast species richness and ecological diversity, controversies persist in their molecular classification. Within Caridea, the Pandalidae family exemplifies significant taxonomic diversity. As of June 25, 2023, GenBank hosts only nine complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) for this family. The Plesionika genus within Pandalidae is recognized as polyphyletic. To improve our understanding of the mitogenome evolution and phylogenetic relationships of Caridea, this study introduces three novel mitogenome sequences from the Plesionika genus: P. ortmanni, P. izumiae and P. lophotes. Methods The complete mitochondrial genomes of three Plesionika species were sequenced utilizing Illumina’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. After assembling and annotating the mitogenomes, we conducted structural analyses to examine circular maps, sequence structure characteristics, base composition, amino acid content, and synonymous codon usage frequency. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed by integrating existing mitogenome sequences of true shrimp available in GenBank. Results The complete mitogenomes of the three Plesionika species encompass 37 canonical genes, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and one control region (CR). The lengths of these mitogenomes are as follows: 15,908 bp for P. ortmanni, 16,074 bp for P. izumiae and 15,933 bp for P. lophotes. Our analyses extended to their genomic features and structural functions, detailing base composition, gene arrangement, and codon usage. Additionally, we performed selection pressure analysis on the PCGs of all Pandalidae species available in Genbank, indicating evolutionary purification selection acted on the PCGs across Pandalidae species. Compared with the ancestral Caridea, translocation of two tRNA genes, i.e., trnP or trnT, were found in the two newly sequenced Plesionika species—P. izumiae and P. lopho…
bibliographic citation: Sun et al. (2024) Sequence comparison of the mitochondrial genomes of Plesionika species (Caridea: Pandalidae), gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationships of Caridea. PeerJ 12:e17314 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17314
date submitted: 2024-02-19
date accepted: 2024-04-08
issued: 2024-05-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Yuman
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Xinjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jiji
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Yingying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Kaida
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17314
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-22
copyright: ©2024 Sun et al.
attribution name: Sun et al.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enhances tolerance to landfill leachate stress by increasing trehalose synthesis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The burgeoning issue of landfill leachate, exacerbated by urbanization, necessitates evaluating its biological impact, traditionally overshadowed by physical and chemical assessments. This study harnesses Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism, to elucidate the physiological toxicity of landfill leachate subjected to different treatment processes: nanofiltration reverse osmosis tail water (NFRO), membrane bioreactor (MBR), and raw leachate (RAW). Our investigation focuses on the modulation of sugar metabolism, particularly trehalose—a disaccharide serving dual functions as an energy source and an anti-adversity molecule in invertebrates. Upon exposure, C. elegans showcased a 60–70% reduction in glucose and glycogen levels alongside a significant trehalose increase, highlighting an adaptive response to environmental stress by augmenting trehalose synthesis. Notably, trehalose-related genes in the NFRO group were up-regulated, contrasting with the MBR and RAW groups, where trehalose synthesis genes outpaced decomposition genes by 20–30 times. These findings suggest that C. elegans predominantly counters landfill leachate-induced stress through trehalose accumulation. This research not only provides insights into the differential impact of leachate treatment methods on C. elegans but also proposes a molecular framework for assessing the environmental repercussions of landfill leachate, contributing to the development of novel strategies for pollution mitigation and environmental preservation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yuru Chen
creator: Binsong Jin
creator: Jie Yu
creator: Liangwei Wu
creator: Yingying Wang
creator: Bin Tang
creator: Huili Chen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Soil Science
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17332
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Chen et al.
abstract: The burgeoning issue of landfill leachate, exacerbated by urbanization, necessitates evaluating its biological impact, traditionally overshadowed by physical and chemical assessments. This study harnesses Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism, to elucidate the physiological toxicity of landfill leachate subjected to different treatment processes: nanofiltration reverse osmosis tail water (NFRO), membrane bioreactor (MBR), and raw leachate (RAW). Our investigation focuses on the modulation of sugar metabolism, particularly trehalose—a disaccharide serving dual functions as an energy source and an anti-adversity molecule in invertebrates. Upon exposure, C. elegans showcased a 60–70% reduction in glucose and glycogen levels alongside a significant trehalose increase, highlighting an adaptive response to environmental stress by augmenting trehalose synthesis. Notably, trehalose-related genes in the NFRO group were up-regulated, contrasting with the MBR and RAW groups, where trehalose synthesis genes outpaced decomposition genes by 20–30 times. These findings suggest that C. elegans predominantly counters landfill leachate-induced stress through trehalose accumulation. This research not only provides insights into the differential impact of leachate treatment methods on C. elegans but also proposes a molecular framework for assessing the environmental repercussions of landfill leachate, contributing to the development of novel strategies for pollution mitigation and environmental preservation.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2024) The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enhances tolerance to landfill leachate stress by increasing trehalose synthesis. PeerJ 12:e17332 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17332
date submitted: 2024-01-24
date accepted: 2024-04-12
issued: 2024-05-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yuru
author list: Agent
  family name: Jin
  given name: Binsong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Liangwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yingying
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Bin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Huili
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17332
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-22
copyright: ©2024 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

Determining the plant-pollinator network in a culturally significant food and medicine garden in the Great Lakes region
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Understanding the interactions between plants and pollinators within a system can provide information about pollination requirements and the degree to which species contribute to floral reproductive success. Past research has focused largely on interactions within monocultured agricultural systems and only somewhat on wild pollination networks. This study focuses on the culturally significant Three Sisters Garden, which has been grown and tended by many Indigenous peoples for generations in the Great Lakes Region. Here, the plant-pollinator network of the traditional Three Sisters Garden with the inclusion of some additional culturally significant plants was mapped. Important visitors in this system included the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and the hoary squash bee, Xenoglossa pruinosa (Say) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), as determined by their abundances and pollinator service index (PSI) values. Understanding the key pollinators in the Three Sisters Garden links biological diversity to cultural diversity through the pollination of culturally significant plants. Further, this information could be of use in supporting Indigenous food sovereignty by providing knowledge about which wild pollinators could be supported to increase fruit and seed set within the Three Sisters Garden. Our findings can also lead to more effective conservation of important wild pollinator species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shelby D. Gibson
creator: Thomas M. Onuferko
creator: Lisa Myers
creator: Sheila R. Colla
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17401
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gibson et al.
abstract: Understanding the interactions between plants and pollinators within a system can provide information about pollination requirements and the degree to which species contribute to floral reproductive success. Past research has focused largely on interactions within monocultured agricultural systems and only somewhat on wild pollination networks. This study focuses on the culturally significant Three Sisters Garden, which has been grown and tended by many Indigenous peoples for generations in the Great Lakes Region. Here, the plant-pollinator network of the traditional Three Sisters Garden with the inclusion of some additional culturally significant plants was mapped. Important visitors in this system included the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and the hoary squash bee, Xenoglossa pruinosa (Say) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), as determined by their abundances and pollinator service index (PSI) values. Understanding the key pollinators in the Three Sisters Garden links biological diversity to cultural diversity through the pollination of culturally significant plants. Further, this information could be of use in supporting Indigenous food sovereignty by providing knowledge about which wild pollinators could be supported to increase fruit and seed set within the Three Sisters Garden. Our findings can also lead to more effective conservation of important wild pollinator species.
bibliographic citation: Gibson et al. (2024) Determining the plant-pollinator network in a culturally significant food and medicine garden in the Great Lakes region. PeerJ 12:e17401 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17401
date submitted: 2024-02-08
date accepted: 2024-04-25
issued: 2024-05-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gibson
  given name: Shelby D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Onuferko
  given name: Thomas M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Myers
  given name: Lisa
author list: Agent
  family name: Colla
  given name: Sheila R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17401
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-22
copyright: © 2024 Gibson et al.
attribution name: Gibson et al.

Temperature-size responses during ontogeny are independent of progenitors’ thermal environments
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Warming generally induces faster developmental and growth rates, resulting in smaller asymptotic sizes of adults in warmer environments (a pattern known as the temperature-size rule). However, whether temperature-size responses are affected across generations, especially when thermal environments differ from one generation to the next, is unclear. Here, we tested temperature-size responses at different ontogenetic stages and in two consecutive generations using two soil-living Collembola species from the family Isotomidae: Folsomia candida (asexual) and Proisotoma minuta (sexually reproducing). Methods We used individuals (progenitors; F0) from cultures maintained during several generations at 15 °C or 20 °C, and exposed their offspring in cohorts (F1) to various thermal environments (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) during their ontogenetic development (from egg laying to first reproduction; i.e., maturity). We measured development and size traits in the cohorts (egg diameter and body length at maturity), as well as the egg diameters of their progeny (F2). We predicted that temperature-size responses would be predominantly determined by within-generation plasticity, given the quick responsiveness of growth and developmental rates to changing thermal environments. However, we also expected that mismatches in thermal environments across generations would constrain temperature-size responses in offspring, possibly due to transgenerational plasticity. Results We found that temperature-size responses were generally weak in the two Collembola species, both for within- and transgenerational plasticity. However, egg and juvenile development were especially responsive at higher temperatures and were slightly affected by transgenerational plasticity. Interestingly, plastic responses among traits varied non-consistently in both Collembola species, with some traits showing plastic responses in one species but not in the other and vice versa. Therefore, our results do …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gerard Martínez-De León
creator: Micha Fahrni
creator: Madhav P. Thakur
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
subject: Climate Change Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17432
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Martínez-De León et al.
abstract: Background Warming generally induces faster developmental and growth rates, resulting in smaller asymptotic sizes of adults in warmer environments (a pattern known as the temperature-size rule). However, whether temperature-size responses are affected across generations, especially when thermal environments differ from one generation to the next, is unclear. Here, we tested temperature-size responses at different ontogenetic stages and in two consecutive generations using two soil-living Collembola species from the family Isotomidae: Folsomia candida (asexual) and Proisotoma minuta (sexually reproducing). Methods We used individuals (progenitors; F0) from cultures maintained during several generations at 15 °C or 20 °C, and exposed their offspring in cohorts (F1) to various thermal environments (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) during their ontogenetic development (from egg laying to first reproduction; i.e., maturity). We measured development and size traits in the cohorts (egg diameter and body length at maturity), as well as the egg diameters of their progeny (F2). We predicted that temperature-size responses would be predominantly determined by within-generation plasticity, given the quick responsiveness of growth and developmental rates to changing thermal environments. However, we also expected that mismatches in thermal environments across generations would constrain temperature-size responses in offspring, possibly due to transgenerational plasticity. Results We found that temperature-size responses were generally weak in the two Collembola species, both for within- and transgenerational plasticity. However, egg and juvenile development were especially responsive at higher temperatures and were slightly affected by transgenerational plasticity. Interestingly, plastic responses among traits varied non-consistently in both Collembola species, with some traits showing plastic responses in one species but not in the other and vice versa. Therefore, our results do …
bibliographic citation: Martínez-De León et al. (2024) Temperature-size responses during ontogeny are independent of progenitors’ thermal environments. PeerJ 12:e17432 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17432
date submitted: 2024-02-04
date accepted: 2024-04-29
issued: 2024-05-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Martínez-De León
  given name: Gerard
author list: Agent
  family name: Fahrni
  given name: Micha
author list: Agent
  family name: Thakur
  given name: Madhav P.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17432
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-22
copyright: © 2024 Martínez-De León et al.
attribution name: Martínez-De León et al.

Dental pulp stem cells ameliorate D-galactose-induced cardiac ageing in rats
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Ageing is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is linked to several alterations in cardiac structure and function, including left ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocyte volume, as well as a decline in the number of cardiomyocytes and ventricular dysfunction, emphasizing the pathological impacts of cardiomyocyte ageing. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are promising as a cellular therapeutic source due to their minimally invasive surgical approach and remarkable proliferative ability. Aim This study is the first to investigate the outcomes of the systemic transplantation of DPSCs in a D-galactose (D-gal)-induced rat model of cardiac ageing. Methods. Thirty 9-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control, ageing (D-gal), and transplanted groups (D-gal + DPSCs). D-gal (300 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. The rats in the transplantation group were intravenously injected with DPSCs at a dose of 1 × 106 once every 2 weeks. Results The transplanted cells migrated to the heart, differentiated into cardiomyocytes, improved cardiac function, upregulated Sirt1 expression, exerted antioxidative effects, modulated connexin-43 expression, attenuated cardiac histopathological alterations, and had anti-senescent and anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion Our results reveal the beneficial effects of DPSC transplantation in a cardiac ageing rat model, suggesting their potential as a viable cell therapy for ageing hearts.
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creator: Gehan El-Akabawy
creator: Sherif Othman Fathy El-Kersh
creator: Ahmed Othman Fathy Othman El-Kersh
creator: Shaimaa Nasr Amin
creator: Laila Ahmed Rashed
creator: Noha Abdel Latif
creator: Ahmed Elshamey
creator: Mohamed Abdallah Abd El Megied Abdallah
creator: Ibrahim G. Saleh
creator: Zaw Myo Hein
creator: Ibrahim El-Serafi
creator: Nabil Eid
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17299
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 El-Akabawy et al.
abstract: Background Ageing is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is linked to several alterations in cardiac structure and function, including left ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocyte volume, as well as a decline in the number of cardiomyocytes and ventricular dysfunction, emphasizing the pathological impacts of cardiomyocyte ageing. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are promising as a cellular therapeutic source due to their minimally invasive surgical approach and remarkable proliferative ability. Aim This study is the first to investigate the outcomes of the systemic transplantation of DPSCs in a D-galactose (D-gal)-induced rat model of cardiac ageing. Methods. Thirty 9-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control, ageing (D-gal), and transplanted groups (D-gal + DPSCs). D-gal (300 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. The rats in the transplantation group were intravenously injected with DPSCs at a dose of 1 × 106 once every 2 weeks. Results The transplanted cells migrated to the heart, differentiated into cardiomyocytes, improved cardiac function, upregulated Sirt1 expression, exerted antioxidative effects, modulated connexin-43 expression, attenuated cardiac histopathological alterations, and had anti-senescent and anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion Our results reveal the beneficial effects of DPSC transplantation in a cardiac ageing rat model, suggesting their potential as a viable cell therapy for ageing hearts.
bibliographic citation: El-Akabawy et al. (2024) Dental pulp stem cells ameliorate D-galactose-induced cardiac ageing in rats. PeerJ 12:e17299 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17299
date submitted: 2023-11-30
date accepted: 2024-04-03
issued: 2024-05-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: El-Akabawy
  given name: Gehan
author list: Agent
  family name: El-Kersh
  given name: Sherif Othman Fathy
author list: Agent
  family name: El-Kersh
  given name: Ahmed Othman Fathy Othman
author list: Agent
  family name: Amin
  given name: Shaimaa Nasr
author list: Agent
  family name: Rashed
  given name: Laila Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Abdel Latif
  given name: Noha
author list: Agent
  family name: Elshamey
  given name: Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Abdallah
  given name: Mohamed Abdallah Abd El Megied
author list: Agent
  family name: Saleh
  given name: Ibrahim G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hein
  given name: Zaw Myo
author list: Agent
  family name: El-Serafi
  given name: Ibrahim
author list: Agent
  family name: Eid
  given name: Nabil
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17299
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-21
copyright: ©2024 El-Akabawy et al.
attribution name: El-Akabawy et al.

Awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among medical and allied health students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Many national studies in Saudi Arabia have revealed a lack of knowledge about eye donation. The current study assessed awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among health faculty students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It aims to increase their awareness as future healthcare providers are expected to raise general awareness to attain more local corneal donations. Methods A cross-sectional study including 1,060 health faculty students was conducted at King Abdulaziz University. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that covered participants’ demographics, academic year, knowledge, and attitudes regarding eye donation. Results Thirty-five percent of students had heard about eye donation, with the most common sources of information being social media (29%) and health workers (24%). Most respondents, 61% (n = 643), indicated willingness to donate their eyes after death. Of these respondents, 93% (n = 986), 6.8% (n = 72), and 0.2% (n = 2) had poor, fair, and good knowledge levels, respectively. A total of 66% (n = 696) and 34% (n = 364) had negative and positive attitudes, respectively. Conclusion Students in this study showed low levels of knowledge and negative attitudes about eye donation. Students should be adequately educated about the significance of eye donation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mahmood Showail
creator: Turki A. AlAmoudi
creator: Esraa Basalem
creator: Khalid Alshebl
creator: Nawaf Meshal Almalki
creator: Abdullah Al Matrafi
creator: Mohammed Ashour
subject: Irrelevant Subject
subject: Health Policy
subject: Ophthalmology
subject: Ethical Issues
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17334
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Showail et al.
abstract: Background Many national studies in Saudi Arabia have revealed a lack of knowledge about eye donation. The current study assessed awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among health faculty students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It aims to increase their awareness as future healthcare providers are expected to raise general awareness to attain more local corneal donations. Methods A cross-sectional study including 1,060 health faculty students was conducted at King Abdulaziz University. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that covered participants’ demographics, academic year, knowledge, and attitudes regarding eye donation. Results Thirty-five percent of students had heard about eye donation, with the most common sources of information being social media (29%) and health workers (24%). Most respondents, 61% (n = 643), indicated willingness to donate their eyes after death. Of these respondents, 93% (n = 986), 6.8% (n = 72), and 0.2% (n = 2) had poor, fair, and good knowledge levels, respectively. A total of 66% (n = 696) and 34% (n = 364) had negative and positive attitudes, respectively. Conclusion Students in this study showed low levels of knowledge and negative attitudes about eye donation. Students should be adequately educated about the significance of eye donation.
bibliographic citation: Showail et al. (2024) Awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among medical and allied health students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PeerJ 12:e17334 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17334
date submitted: 2023-07-20
date accepted: 2024-04-12
issued: 2024-05-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Showail
  given name: Mahmood
author list: Agent
  family name: AlAmoudi
  given name: Turki A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Basalem
  given name: Esraa
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshebl
  given name: Khalid
author list: Agent
  family name: Almalki
  given name: Nawaf Meshal
author list: Agent
  family name: Al Matrafi
  given name: Abdullah
author list: Agent
  family name: Ashour
  given name: Mohammed
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17334
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-21
copyright: © 2024 Showail et al.
attribution name: Showail et al.

Estimates on age, growth, and mortality of Leuciscus chuanchicus (Kessler 1876) in the Ningxia section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: To investigate the age structure, growth pattern, mortality and exploitation rates of Leuciscus chuanchicus in the upstream Ningxia section of the Yellow River, four sampling surveys were conducted between 2022 and 2023. A total of 472 individuals were measured for their total length (TL) and body weight (W). Age determination was performed using otoliths. The collected samples had a range of total lengths from 4.52 to 37.45 cm, body weights ranging from 0.68 to 552.43 g, and ages ranging from 1 to 7 years old. The relationship between total length and body weight was expressed as W = 0.0052 L3.19 for all samples, which indicates that the growth of L. chuanchicus adheres to allometry. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation revealed that the fish had an asymptotic total length (L∞) of approximately 37.9 cm with a growth coefficient (K) value of approximately 0.461 yr−1. Using the age-based catch curve method, the calculated total instantaneous mortality rate (Z) for all samples was determined as being equal to approximately 1.1302 yr−1. Additionally, three methods were used to estimate the average instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M), resulting in an approximate value of 0.7167 yr−1 for all samples. Furthermore, the instantaneous rate of fishing mortality (F) for all samples was calculated as 0.4134 yr−1, leading us to determine that the exploitation rate (E) is 0.3658. It was concluded that the growth rate of L. chuanchicus in the upstream of the Yellow River is relatively fast, and L. chuanchicus has not been subjected to excessive exploitation, yet its relatively high natural mortality rate underscores the need for targeted management measures aimed at preserving its habitat.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shuhan Xiong
creator: Jiacheng Liu
creator: Peilun Li
creator: Yanbin Liu
creator: Kai Liu
creator: Yongjie Wang
creator: Jilong Wang
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17351
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Xiong et al.
abstract: To investigate the age structure, growth pattern, mortality and exploitation rates of Leuciscus chuanchicus in the upstream Ningxia section of the Yellow River, four sampling surveys were conducted between 2022 and 2023. A total of 472 individuals were measured for their total length (TL) and body weight (W). Age determination was performed using otoliths. The collected samples had a range of total lengths from 4.52 to 37.45 cm, body weights ranging from 0.68 to 552.43 g, and ages ranging from 1 to 7 years old. The relationship between total length and body weight was expressed as W = 0.0052 L3.19 for all samples, which indicates that the growth of L. chuanchicus adheres to allometry. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation revealed that the fish had an asymptotic total length (L∞) of approximately 37.9 cm with a growth coefficient (K) value of approximately 0.461 yr−1. Using the age-based catch curve method, the calculated total instantaneous mortality rate (Z) for all samples was determined as being equal to approximately 1.1302 yr−1. Additionally, three methods were used to estimate the average instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M), resulting in an approximate value of 0.7167 yr−1 for all samples. Furthermore, the instantaneous rate of fishing mortality (F) for all samples was calculated as 0.4134 yr−1, leading us to determine that the exploitation rate (E) is 0.3658. It was concluded that the growth rate of L. chuanchicus in the upstream of the Yellow River is relatively fast, and L. chuanchicus has not been subjected to excessive exploitation, yet its relatively high natural mortality rate underscores the need for targeted management measures aimed at preserving its habitat.
bibliographic citation: Xiong et al. (2024) Estimates on age, growth, and mortality of Leuciscus chuanchicus (Kessler 1876) in the Ningxia section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, China. PeerJ 12:e17351 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17351
date submitted: 2024-01-29
date accepted: 2024-04-17
issued: 2024-05-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiong
  given name: Shuhan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Jiacheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Peilun
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yanbin
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Kai
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yongjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jilong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17351
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-21
copyright: © 2024 Xiong et al.
attribution name: Xiong et al.

Measuring multi-year changes in the Symbiodiniaceae algae in Caribbean corals on coral-depleted reefs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Monitoring coral cover can describe the ecology of reef degradation, but rarely can it reveal the proximal mechanisms of change, or achieve its full potential in informing conservation actions. Describing temporal variation in Symbiodiniaceae within corals can help address these limitations, but this is rarely a research priority. Here, we augmented an ecological time series of the coral reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, by describing the genetic complement of symbiotic algae in common corals. Seventy-five corals from nine species were marked and sampled in 2017. Of these colonies, 41% were sampled in 2018, and 72% in 2019; 28% could not be found and were assumed to have died. Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequencing identified 525 distinct sequences (comprising 42 ITS2 type profiles), and symbiont diversity differed among host species and individuals, but was in most cases preserved within hosts over 3 yrs that were marked by physical disturbances from major hurricanes (2017) and the regional onset of stony coral tissue loss disease (2019). While changes in symbiont communities were slight and stochastic over time within colonies, variation in the dominant symbionts among colonies was observed for all host species. Together, these results indicate that declining host abundances could lead to the loss of rare algal lineages that are found in a low proportion of few coral colonies left on many reefs, especially if coral declines are symbiont-specific. These findings highlight the importance of identifying Symbiodiniaceae as part of a time series of coral communities to support holistic conservation planning. Repeated sampling of tagged corals is unlikely to be viable for this purpose, because many Caribbean corals are dying before they can be sampled multiple times. Instead, random sampling of large numbers of corals may be more effective in capturing the diversity and temporal dynamics of Symbiodiniaceae metacommunities in reef corals.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ross Cunning
creator: Elizabeth A. Lenz
creator: Peter J. Edmunds
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17358
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Cunning et al.
abstract: Monitoring coral cover can describe the ecology of reef degradation, but rarely can it reveal the proximal mechanisms of change, or achieve its full potential in informing conservation actions. Describing temporal variation in Symbiodiniaceae within corals can help address these limitations, but this is rarely a research priority. Here, we augmented an ecological time series of the coral reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, by describing the genetic complement of symbiotic algae in common corals. Seventy-five corals from nine species were marked and sampled in 2017. Of these colonies, 41% were sampled in 2018, and 72% in 2019; 28% could not be found and were assumed to have died. Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequencing identified 525 distinct sequences (comprising 42 ITS2 type profiles), and symbiont diversity differed among host species and individuals, but was in most cases preserved within hosts over 3 yrs that were marked by physical disturbances from major hurricanes (2017) and the regional onset of stony coral tissue loss disease (2019). While changes in symbiont communities were slight and stochastic over time within colonies, variation in the dominant symbionts among colonies was observed for all host species. Together, these results indicate that declining host abundances could lead to the loss of rare algal lineages that are found in a low proportion of few coral colonies left on many reefs, especially if coral declines are symbiont-specific. These findings highlight the importance of identifying Symbiodiniaceae as part of a time series of coral communities to support holistic conservation planning. Repeated sampling of tagged corals is unlikely to be viable for this purpose, because many Caribbean corals are dying before they can be sampled multiple times. Instead, random sampling of large numbers of corals may be more effective in capturing the diversity and temporal dynamics of Symbiodiniaceae metacommunities in reef corals.
bibliographic citation: Cunning et al. (2024) Measuring multi-year changes in the Symbiodiniaceae algae in Caribbean corals on coral-depleted reefs. PeerJ 12:e17358 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17358
date submitted: 2023-12-07
date accepted: 2024-04-18
issued: 2024-05-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cunning
  given name: Ross
author list: Agent
  family name: Lenz
  given name: Elizabeth A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Edmunds
  given name: Peter J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17358
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-21
copyright: © 2024 Cunning et al.
attribution name: Cunning et al.

Pseudotargeted lipidomics analysis of scoparone on glycerophospholipid metabolism in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mice by LC-MRM-MS
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: As the inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with disorders of glycerophospholipid metabolism. Scoparone is the major bioactive component in Artemisia capillaris which has been widely used to treat NASH in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the underlying mechanisms of scoparone against NASH are not yet fully understood, which hinders the development of effective therapeutic agents for NASH. Given the crucial role of glycerophospholipid metabolism in NASH progression, this study aimed to characterize the differential expression of glycerophospholipids that is responsible for scoparone’s pharmacological effects and assess its efficacy against NASH. Liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (LC-MRM-MS) was performed to get the concentrations of glycerophospholipids, clarify mechanisms of disease, and highlight insights into drug discovery. Additionally, pathologic findings also presented consistent changes in high-fat diet-induced NASH model, and after scoparone treatment, both the levels of glycerophospholipids and histopathology were similar to normal levels, indicating a beneficial effect during the observation time. Altogether, these results refined the insights on the mechanisms of scoparone against NASH and suggested a route to relieve NASH with glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, the current work demonstrated that a pseudotargeted lipidomic platform provided a novel insight into the potential mechanism of scoparone action.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qi Song
creator: Ziyi Zhao
creator: Hu Liu
creator: Jinling Zhang
creator: Zhiqiang Wang
creator: Yunqi Zhang
creator: Guowei Ma
creator: Shaoqin Ge
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17380
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Song et al.
abstract: As the inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with disorders of glycerophospholipid metabolism. Scoparone is the major bioactive component in Artemisia capillaris which has been widely used to treat NASH in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the underlying mechanisms of scoparone against NASH are not yet fully understood, which hinders the development of effective therapeutic agents for NASH. Given the crucial role of glycerophospholipid metabolism in NASH progression, this study aimed to characterize the differential expression of glycerophospholipids that is responsible for scoparone’s pharmacological effects and assess its efficacy against NASH. Liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (LC-MRM-MS) was performed to get the concentrations of glycerophospholipids, clarify mechanisms of disease, and highlight insights into drug discovery. Additionally, pathologic findings also presented consistent changes in high-fat diet-induced NASH model, and after scoparone treatment, both the levels of glycerophospholipids and histopathology were similar to normal levels, indicating a beneficial effect during the observation time. Altogether, these results refined the insights on the mechanisms of scoparone against NASH and suggested a route to relieve NASH with glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, the current work demonstrated that a pseudotargeted lipidomic platform provided a novel insight into the potential mechanism of scoparone action.
bibliographic citation: Song et al. (2024) Pseudotargeted lipidomics analysis of scoparone on glycerophospholipid metabolism in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mice by LC-MRM-MS. PeerJ 12:e17380 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17380
date submitted: 2023-11-28
date accepted: 2024-04-21
issued: 2024-05-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Song
  given name: Qi
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Ziyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Hu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jinling
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zhiqiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yunqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Guowei
author list: Agent
  family name: Ge
  given name: Shaoqin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17380
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-21
copyright: ©2024 Song et al.
attribution name: Song et al.

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