PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Regulation of cellular and molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Brazilin in breast cancer cells
items: No sex difference in preen oil chemical composition during incubation in Kentish plovers
items: Interactive effects of drought and deforestation on multitrophic communities and aquatic ecosystem functions in the Neotropics—a test using tank bromeliads
items: Global marine phytoplankton dynamics analysis with machine learning and reanalyzed remote sensing
items: Effects of harvest height and time on hay yield and quality of some sweet sorghum and sorghum Sudangrass hybrid varieties
items: The relationship between the living environment and remote working: an analysis using the SHEL model
items: Effect of iron saturation of bovine lactoferrin on the inhibition of hepatitis B virus in vitro
items: Use of digital strategies in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a scoping review
items: Combination administration of alprazolam and N-Ethylmaleimide synergistically enhances sleep behaviors in mice with no potential CNS side effects
items: Pathological caudal skeleton of an ichthyodectiform fish from the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation of western Kansas, USA

Regulation of cellular and molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Brazilin in breast cancer cells
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Breast cancer is the most common invasive neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The main cause of mortality in cancer patients is invasion and metastasis, where the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial player in these processes. Pharmacological therapy has plants as its primary source, including isoflavonoids. Brazilin is an isoflavonoid isolated from Haematoxilum brasiletto that has shown antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Brazilin on canonical markers of EMT such as E-cadherin, vimentin, Twist, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). By Western blot, we evaluated E-cadherin, vimentin, and Twist expression and the subcellular localization by immunofluorescence. Using gelatin zymography, we determined the levels of secretion of MMPs. We used Transwell chambers coated with matrigel to determine the in vitro invasion of breast cancer cells treated with Brazilin. Interestingly, our results show that Brazilin increases 50% in E-cadherin expression and decreases 50% in vimentin and Twist expression, MMPs, and cell invasion in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and to a lesser extend in MCF7 ER+ breast cancer cells. Together, these findings position Brazilin as a new molecule with great potential for use as complementary or alternative treatment in breast cancer therapy in the future.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lorena Cayetano-Salazar
creator: Jose A. Hernandez-Moreno
creator: Jorge Bello-Martinez
creator: Monserrat Olea-Flores
creator: Eduardo Castañeda-Saucedo
creator: Monica Ramirez
creator: Miguel A. Mendoza-Catalán
creator: Napoleon Navarro-Tito
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17360
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Cayetano-Salazar et al.
abstract: Breast cancer is the most common invasive neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The main cause of mortality in cancer patients is invasion and metastasis, where the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial player in these processes. Pharmacological therapy has plants as its primary source, including isoflavonoids. Brazilin is an isoflavonoid isolated from Haematoxilum brasiletto that has shown antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Brazilin on canonical markers of EMT such as E-cadherin, vimentin, Twist, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). By Western blot, we evaluated E-cadherin, vimentin, and Twist expression and the subcellular localization by immunofluorescence. Using gelatin zymography, we determined the levels of secretion of MMPs. We used Transwell chambers coated with matrigel to determine the in vitro invasion of breast cancer cells treated with Brazilin. Interestingly, our results show that Brazilin increases 50% in E-cadherin expression and decreases 50% in vimentin and Twist expression, MMPs, and cell invasion in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and to a lesser extend in MCF7 ER+ breast cancer cells. Together, these findings position Brazilin as a new molecule with great potential for use as complementary or alternative treatment in breast cancer therapy in the future.
bibliographic citation: Cayetano-Salazar et al. (2024) Regulation of cellular and molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Brazilin in breast cancer cells. PeerJ 12:e17360 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17360
date submitted: 2024-01-12
date accepted: 2024-04-18
issued: 2024-05-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cayetano-Salazar
  given name: Lorena
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernandez-Moreno
  given name: Jose A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bello-Martinez
  given name: Jorge
author list: Agent
  family name: Olea-Flores
  given name: Monserrat
author list: Agent
  family name: Castañeda-Saucedo
  given name: Eduardo
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramirez
  given name: Monica
author list: Agent
  family name: Mendoza-Catalán
  given name: Miguel A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Navarro-Tito
  given name: Napoleon
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17360
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-09
copyright: © 2024 Cayetano-Salazar et al.
attribution name: Cayetano-Salazar et al.

No sex difference in preen oil chemical composition during incubation in Kentish plovers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Preen oil, the secretion from the uropygial gland of birds, may have a specific function in incubation. Consistent with this, during incubation, the chemical composition of preen oil is more likely to differ between sexes in species where only one sex incubates than in species where both sexes incubate. In this study, we tested the generality of this apparent difference, by investigating sex differences in the preen oil composition of a shorebird species, the Kentish plover (Anarhynchus, formerly Charadrius, alexandrinus). As both sexes incubate in this species, we predicted the absence of sex differences in preen oil composition during incubation. In the field, we sampled preen oil from nine females and 11 males during incubation, which we analysed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Consistent with predictions, we found no sex difference in preen oil composition, neither in beta diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarities) nor in alpha diversity (Shannon index and number of substances). Based on these results, we cannot conclude whether preen oil has a function during incubation in Kentish plovers. Still, we discuss hypothetical roles, such as olfactory crypsis, protection against ectoparasites or olfactory intraspecific communication, which remain to be tested.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marc Gilles
creator: András Kosztolányi
creator: Afonso D. Rocha
creator: Innes C. Cuthill
creator: Tamás Székely
creator: Barbara A. Caspers
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17243
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gilles et al.
abstract: Preen oil, the secretion from the uropygial gland of birds, may have a specific function in incubation. Consistent with this, during incubation, the chemical composition of preen oil is more likely to differ between sexes in species where only one sex incubates than in species where both sexes incubate. In this study, we tested the generality of this apparent difference, by investigating sex differences in the preen oil composition of a shorebird species, the Kentish plover (Anarhynchus, formerly Charadrius, alexandrinus). As both sexes incubate in this species, we predicted the absence of sex differences in preen oil composition during incubation. In the field, we sampled preen oil from nine females and 11 males during incubation, which we analysed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Consistent with predictions, we found no sex difference in preen oil composition, neither in beta diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarities) nor in alpha diversity (Shannon index and number of substances). Based on these results, we cannot conclude whether preen oil has a function during incubation in Kentish plovers. Still, we discuss hypothetical roles, such as olfactory crypsis, protection against ectoparasites or olfactory intraspecific communication, which remain to be tested.
bibliographic citation: Gilles et al. (2024) No sex difference in preen oil chemical composition during incubation in Kentish plovers. PeerJ 12:e17243 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17243
date submitted: 2023-11-21
date accepted: 2024-03-25
issued: 2024-05-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gilles
  given name: Marc
author list: Agent
  family name: Kosztolányi
  given name: András
author list: Agent
  family name: Rocha
  given name: Afonso D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cuthill
  given name: Innes C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Székely
  given name: Tamás
author list: Agent
  family name: Caspers
  given name: Barbara A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17243
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-08
copyright: ©2024 Gilles et al.
attribution name: Gilles et al.

Interactive effects of drought and deforestation on multitrophic communities and aquatic ecosystem functions in the Neotropics—a test using tank bromeliads
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Together with the intensification of dry seasons in Neotropical regions, increasing deforestation is expected to exacerbate species extinctions, something that could lead to dramatic shifts in multitrophic communities and ecosystem functions. Recent studies suggest that the effects of habitat loss are greater where precipitation has decreased. Yet, experimental studies of the pure and interactive effects of drought and deforestation at ecosystem level remain scarce. Methods Here, we used rainshelters and transplantation from rainforest to open areas of natural microcosms (the aquatic ecosystem and microbial-faunal food web found within the rainwater-filled leaves of tank bromeliads) to emulate drought and deforestation in a full factorial experimental design. We analysed the pure and interactive effects of our treatments on functional community structure (including microorganisms, detritivore and predatory invertebrates), and on leaf litter decomposition in tank bromeliad ecosystems. Results Drought or deforestation alone had a moderate impact on biomass at the various trophic level, but did not eliminate species. However, their interaction synergistically reduced the biomass of all invertebrate functional groups and bacteria. Predators were the most impacted trophic group as they were totally eliminated, while detritivore biomass was reduced by about 95%. Fungal biomass was either unaffected or boosted by our treatments. Decomposition was essentially driven by microbial activity, and did not change across treatments involving deforestation and/or drought. Conclusions Our results suggest that highly resistant microorganisms such as fungi (plus a few detritivores) maintain key ecosystem functions in the face of drought and habitat change. We conclude that habitat destruction compounds the problems of climate change, that the impacts of the two phenomena on food webs are mutually reinforcing, and that the stability of ecosystem functions depends on the resi…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marie Séguigne
creator: Céline Leroy
creator: Jean-François Carrias
creator: Bruno Corbara
creator: Tristan Lafont Rapnouil
creator: Régis Céréghino
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17346
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Séguigne et al.
abstract: Background Together with the intensification of dry seasons in Neotropical regions, increasing deforestation is expected to exacerbate species extinctions, something that could lead to dramatic shifts in multitrophic communities and ecosystem functions. Recent studies suggest that the effects of habitat loss are greater where precipitation has decreased. Yet, experimental studies of the pure and interactive effects of drought and deforestation at ecosystem level remain scarce. Methods Here, we used rainshelters and transplantation from rainforest to open areas of natural microcosms (the aquatic ecosystem and microbial-faunal food web found within the rainwater-filled leaves of tank bromeliads) to emulate drought and deforestation in a full factorial experimental design. We analysed the pure and interactive effects of our treatments on functional community structure (including microorganisms, detritivore and predatory invertebrates), and on leaf litter decomposition in tank bromeliad ecosystems. Results Drought or deforestation alone had a moderate impact on biomass at the various trophic level, but did not eliminate species. However, their interaction synergistically reduced the biomass of all invertebrate functional groups and bacteria. Predators were the most impacted trophic group as they were totally eliminated, while detritivore biomass was reduced by about 95%. Fungal biomass was either unaffected or boosted by our treatments. Decomposition was essentially driven by microbial activity, and did not change across treatments involving deforestation and/or drought. Conclusions Our results suggest that highly resistant microorganisms such as fungi (plus a few detritivores) maintain key ecosystem functions in the face of drought and habitat change. We conclude that habitat destruction compounds the problems of climate change, that the impacts of the two phenomena on food webs are mutually reinforcing, and that the stability of ecosystem functions depends on the resi…
bibliographic citation: Séguigne et al. (2024) Interactive effects of drought and deforestation on multitrophic communities and aquatic ecosystem functions in the Neotropics—a test using tank bromeliads. PeerJ 12:e17346 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17346
date submitted: 2024-02-02
date accepted: 2024-04-15
issued: 2024-05-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Séguigne
  given name: Marie
author list: Agent
  family name: Leroy
  given name: Céline
author list: Agent
  family name: Carrias
  given name: Jean-François
author list: Agent
  family name: Corbara
  given name: Bruno
author list: Agent
  family name: Lafont Rapnouil
  given name: Tristan
author list: Agent
  family name: Céréghino
  given name: Régis
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17346
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-08
copyright: © 2024 Séguigne et al.
attribution name: Séguigne et al.

Global marine phytoplankton dynamics analysis with machine learning and reanalyzed remote sensing
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Phytoplankton are the world’s largest oxygen producers found in oceans, seas and large water bodies, which play crucial roles in the marine food chain. Unbalanced biogeochemical features like salinity, pH, minerals, etc., can retard their growth. With advancements in better hardware, the usage of Artificial Intelligence techniques is rapidly increasing for creating an intelligent decision-making system. Therefore, we attempt to overcome this gap by using supervised regressions on reanalysis data targeting global phytoplankton levels in global waters. The presented experiment proposes the applications of different supervised machine learning regression techniques such as random forest, extra trees, bagging and histogram-based gradient boosting regressor on reanalysis data obtained from the Copernicus Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Hindcast dataset. Results obtained from the experiment have predicted the phytoplankton levels with a coefficient of determination score (R2) of up to 0.96. After further validation with larger datasets, the model can be deployed in a production environment in an attempt to complement in-situ measurement efforts.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Subhrangshu Adhikary
creator: Surya Prakash Tiwari
creator: Saikat Banerjee
creator: Ashutosh Dhar Dwivedi
creator: Syed Masiur Rahman
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
subject: Data Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17361
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Adhikary et al.
abstract: Phytoplankton are the world’s largest oxygen producers found in oceans, seas and large water bodies, which play crucial roles in the marine food chain. Unbalanced biogeochemical features like salinity, pH, minerals, etc., can retard their growth. With advancements in better hardware, the usage of Artificial Intelligence techniques is rapidly increasing for creating an intelligent decision-making system. Therefore, we attempt to overcome this gap by using supervised regressions on reanalysis data targeting global phytoplankton levels in global waters. The presented experiment proposes the applications of different supervised machine learning regression techniques such as random forest, extra trees, bagging and histogram-based gradient boosting regressor on reanalysis data obtained from the Copernicus Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Hindcast dataset. Results obtained from the experiment have predicted the phytoplankton levels with a coefficient of determination score (R2) of up to 0.96. After further validation with larger datasets, the model can be deployed in a production environment in an attempt to complement in-situ measurement efforts.
bibliographic citation: Adhikary et al. (2024) Global marine phytoplankton dynamics analysis with machine learning and reanalyzed remote sensing. PeerJ 12:e17361 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17361
date submitted: 2023-09-19
date accepted: 2024-04-18
issued: 2024-05-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Adhikary
  given name: Subhrangshu
author list: Agent
  family name: Tiwari
  given name: Surya Prakash
author list: Agent
  family name: Banerjee
  given name: Saikat
author list: Agent
  family name: Dwivedi
  given name: Ashutosh Dhar
author list: Agent
  family name: Rahman
  given name: Syed Masiur
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17361
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-08
copyright: © 2024 Adhikary et al.
attribution name: Adhikary et al.

Effects of harvest height and time on hay yield and quality of some sweet sorghum and sorghum Sudangrass hybrid varieties
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background This experiment was conducted in the Research and Application Field of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Agriculture, during the 2020 and 2021 summer period. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of different harvesting heights on forage yields and crude ash, fat, protein, and carbon and nitrogen content of leaves and stalks of sweet sorghum (SS) and sorghum sudangrass hybrid (SSH) cultivars. Methods Nutri Honey and Nutrima varieties of SSH and the M81-E and Topper-76 varieties of SS were used in this study. The experiment was conducted using the randomized complete block design with four replications. The main plots each included two early and late varieties of SS and SSH cultivars, while the subplots were used to test different harvesting heights (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 cm) and physiological parameters of each crop. Results The results of this study showed that dry forage yields increased with plant growth, with the amount of forage produced at the end of the growth cycle increasing 172.2% compared to the early growth stages. Carbon (C) content of leaves decreased by 6.5%, nitrogen (N) by 46%, crude protein (CP) by 54%, crude fat (CF) by 34%, while crude ash (CA) content increased by 6% due to the increase in plant height harvest. At the same time, in parallel with the increase in plant height at harvest, the nitrogen content of the stems of the plants decreased by 87%, crude protein by 65%, crude ash by 33% and crude fat by 41%, while the carbon content increased by 4%. As plant height at harvest increased, hay yield increased but nutrient contents of the hay decreased. However, the Nutrima, Nutri Honey and M81-E sorghum cultivars, harvested three times at heights of 90 to 120 cm, are recommended for the highest yield.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fırat Alatürk
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17274
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Alatürk
abstract: Background This experiment was conducted in the Research and Application Field of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Agriculture, during the 2020 and 2021 summer period. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of different harvesting heights on forage yields and crude ash, fat, protein, and carbon and nitrogen content of leaves and stalks of sweet sorghum (SS) and sorghum sudangrass hybrid (SSH) cultivars. Methods Nutri Honey and Nutrima varieties of SSH and the M81-E and Topper-76 varieties of SS were used in this study. The experiment was conducted using the randomized complete block design with four replications. The main plots each included two early and late varieties of SS and SSH cultivars, while the subplots were used to test different harvesting heights (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 cm) and physiological parameters of each crop. Results The results of this study showed that dry forage yields increased with plant growth, with the amount of forage produced at the end of the growth cycle increasing 172.2% compared to the early growth stages. Carbon (C) content of leaves decreased by 6.5%, nitrogen (N) by 46%, crude protein (CP) by 54%, crude fat (CF) by 34%, while crude ash (CA) content increased by 6% due to the increase in plant height harvest. At the same time, in parallel with the increase in plant height at harvest, the nitrogen content of the stems of the plants decreased by 87%, crude protein by 65%, crude ash by 33% and crude fat by 41%, while the carbon content increased by 4%. As plant height at harvest increased, hay yield increased but nutrient contents of the hay decreased. However, the Nutrima, Nutri Honey and M81-E sorghum cultivars, harvested three times at heights of 90 to 120 cm, are recommended for the highest yield.
bibliographic citation: Alatürk (2024) Effects of harvest height and time on hay yield and quality of some sweet sorghum and sorghum Sudangrass hybrid varieties. PeerJ 12:e17274 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17274
date submitted: 2023-10-26
date accepted: 2024-04-01
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alatürk
  given name: Fırat
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17274
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
copyright: © 2024 Alatürk
attribution name: Alatürk

The relationship between the living environment and remote working: an analysis using the SHEL model
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective This study investigates the relationship of living environment factors with satisfaction, work engagement, perceived productivity, and stress among teleworkers. Background Given the increase in telecommuting since the onset of the pandemic, the study aims to identify how to create an optimum environment for telecommuting workers. Methods By examining the relationships among these factors via multiple regression analysis, a comprehensive investigation of the telecommuting working environment is conducted, encompassing physical aspects and facilities as well as lifestyle rhythms and relationships with housemates. In doing so, the author identifies measures to create a more favorable living environment. The work environment of remote workers is examined from various perspectives using the framework of the SHEL model: Software (work content, lifestyle, etc.), Hardware (furniture, equipment, etc.), Environment (indoor environment), and Liveware (relationships with family members who reside with the worker). Results The results suggest that positive factors, such as satisfaction and work engagement, are strongly influenced by the degree of job autonomy and the availability of a workspace dedicated to personal use. Negative aspects, such as stress, are significantly impacted by environmental noise, interruptions due to household tasks, and the use of ergonomic furniture.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Toshihisa Doi
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Human-Computer Interaction
subject: Mental Health
subject: Environmental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17301
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Doi
abstract: Objective This study investigates the relationship of living environment factors with satisfaction, work engagement, perceived productivity, and stress among teleworkers. Background Given the increase in telecommuting since the onset of the pandemic, the study aims to identify how to create an optimum environment for telecommuting workers. Methods By examining the relationships among these factors via multiple regression analysis, a comprehensive investigation of the telecommuting working environment is conducted, encompassing physical aspects and facilities as well as lifestyle rhythms and relationships with housemates. In doing so, the author identifies measures to create a more favorable living environment. The work environment of remote workers is examined from various perspectives using the framework of the SHEL model: Software (work content, lifestyle, etc.), Hardware (furniture, equipment, etc.), Environment (indoor environment), and Liveware (relationships with family members who reside with the worker). Results The results suggest that positive factors, such as satisfaction and work engagement, are strongly influenced by the degree of job autonomy and the availability of a workspace dedicated to personal use. Negative aspects, such as stress, are significantly impacted by environmental noise, interruptions due to household tasks, and the use of ergonomic furniture.
bibliographic citation: Doi (2024) The relationship between the living environment and remote working: an analysis using the SHEL model. PeerJ 12:e17301 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17301
date submitted: 2023-11-10
date accepted: 2024-04-04
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Doi
  given name: Toshihisa
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17301
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
copyright: ©2024 Doi
attribution name: Doi

Effect of iron saturation of bovine lactoferrin on the inhibition of hepatitis B virus in vitro
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a major public health problem worldwide. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a natural product that can inhibit HBV, but the effect of iron saturation on its resistance to HBV is unknown. Aims The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of iron saturation of bLf against HBV. Methods HepG2 cells were cultured in DMEM high glucose containing 10% inactivated fetal calf serum, at 37 °C, in 5% CO2. MTT method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of bLf to HepG2 cells. Apo-bLf and holo-bLf were prepared from bLf. Iron saturation of these proteins was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of candidate proteins were used in anti-HBV tests. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect HBV-DNA. Results The TC50 and TC0of bLf were 54.570 mg/ml and 1.997 mg/ml, respectively. The iron saturation of bLf, apo-bLf and holo-bLf were 10.29%, 8.42% and 85.32%, respectively. In this study, four non-cytotoxic concentrations of candidate proteins (1.5, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg/ml, respectively) were used to inhibit HBV in HepG2 cells. The results showed that 1.5 mg/ml bLf and 0.1 mg/ml holo-bLf effectively impaired the HBV-DNA amplification in HBV-infected HepG2 cells (P < 0.05). However, apo-bLf, and Fe3+ did not show the anti-HBV effects. Conclusion A total of 1.5 mg/ml bLf and 0.1 mg/ml holo-bLf could inhibit HBV-DNA in HepG2 cells. Complete bLf structure, appropriate concentration and iron saturation of bLf are necessary conditions for anti-HBV effects.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Haibo Zhou
creator: Yiwei Zhu
creator: Ning Liu
creator: Wencui Zhang
creator: Jianchun Han
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Virology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17302
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhou et al.
abstract: Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a major public health problem worldwide. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a natural product that can inhibit HBV, but the effect of iron saturation on its resistance to HBV is unknown. Aims The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of iron saturation of bLf against HBV. Methods HepG2 cells were cultured in DMEM high glucose containing 10% inactivated fetal calf serum, at 37 °C, in 5% CO2. MTT method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of bLf to HepG2 cells. Apo-bLf and holo-bLf were prepared from bLf. Iron saturation of these proteins was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of candidate proteins were used in anti-HBV tests. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect HBV-DNA. Results The TC50 and TC0of bLf were 54.570 mg/ml and 1.997 mg/ml, respectively. The iron saturation of bLf, apo-bLf and holo-bLf were 10.29%, 8.42% and 85.32%, respectively. In this study, four non-cytotoxic concentrations of candidate proteins (1.5, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg/ml, respectively) were used to inhibit HBV in HepG2 cells. The results showed that 1.5 mg/ml bLf and 0.1 mg/ml holo-bLf effectively impaired the HBV-DNA amplification in HBV-infected HepG2 cells (P < 0.05). However, apo-bLf, and Fe3+ did not show the anti-HBV effects. Conclusion A total of 1.5 mg/ml bLf and 0.1 mg/ml holo-bLf could inhibit HBV-DNA in HepG2 cells. Complete bLf structure, appropriate concentration and iron saturation of bLf are necessary conditions for anti-HBV effects.
bibliographic citation: Zhou et al. (2024) Effect of iron saturation of bovine lactoferrin on the inhibition of hepatitis B virus in vitro. PeerJ 12:e17302 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17302
date submitted: 2022-06-27
date accepted: 2024-04-04
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Haibo
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Yiwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Ning
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Wencui
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Jianchun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17302
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
copyright: ©2024 Zhou et al.
attribution name: Zhou et al.

Use of digital strategies in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a scoping review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Telediagnosis uses information and communication technologies to support diagnosis, shortening geographical distances. It helps make decisions about various oral lesions. The objective of this scoping review was to map the existing literature on digital strategies to assist in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. this review was structured based on the 5-stage methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. The methods were registered on the Open Science Framework. The research question was: What digital strategies have been used to assist in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma? The search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria comprised studies on telediagnosis, teleconsultation or teleconsultation mediated by a professional and studies in English, without date restrictions. The search conducted in June 2023 yielded 1,798 articles, from which 16 studies were included. Telediagnosis was reported in nine studies, involving data screening through applications, clinical images from digital cameras, mobile phones or artificial intelligence. Histopathological images were reported in four studies. Both, telediagnosis and teleconsultation, were mentioned in seven studies, utilizing images and information submission services to platforms, WhatsApp or applications. One study presented teleconsultations involving slides and another study introduced teleconsultation mediated by a professional. Digital strategies telediagnosis and teleconsultations enable the histopathological diagnosis of oral cancer through clinical or histopathological images. The higher the observed diagnostic agreement, the better the performance of the strategy.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rebeka Thiara Nascimento dos Santos
creator: Caroline Augusta Belo Faria
creator: Nathalya Fedechen Martins
creator: Luiz Gustavo de Sousa Duda Júnior
creator: Ana Beatriz Fernandes Azevêdo
creator: Weslay Rodrigues da Silva
creator: Ana Paula Veras Sobral
subject: Dentistry
subject: Oncology
subject: Otorhinolaryngology
subject: Pathology
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17329
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Santos et al.
abstract: Telediagnosis uses information and communication technologies to support diagnosis, shortening geographical distances. It helps make decisions about various oral lesions. The objective of this scoping review was to map the existing literature on digital strategies to assist in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. this review was structured based on the 5-stage methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. The methods were registered on the Open Science Framework. The research question was: What digital strategies have been used to assist in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma? The search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria comprised studies on telediagnosis, teleconsultation or teleconsultation mediated by a professional and studies in English, without date restrictions. The search conducted in June 2023 yielded 1,798 articles, from which 16 studies were included. Telediagnosis was reported in nine studies, involving data screening through applications, clinical images from digital cameras, mobile phones or artificial intelligence. Histopathological images were reported in four studies. Both, telediagnosis and teleconsultation, were mentioned in seven studies, utilizing images and information submission services to platforms, WhatsApp or applications. One study presented teleconsultations involving slides and another study introduced teleconsultation mediated by a professional. Digital strategies telediagnosis and teleconsultations enable the histopathological diagnosis of oral cancer through clinical or histopathological images. The higher the observed diagnostic agreement, the better the performance of the strategy.
bibliographic citation: Santos et al. (2024) Use of digital strategies in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a scoping review. PeerJ 12:e17329 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17329
date submitted: 2024-01-02
date accepted: 2024-04-11
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Santos
  given name: Rebeka Thiara Nascimento dos
author list: Agent
  family name: Faria
  given name: Caroline Augusta Belo
author list: Agent
  family name: Martins
  given name: Nathalya Fedechen
author list: Agent
  family name: Duda Júnior
  given name: Luiz Gustavo de Sousa
author list: Agent
  family name: Azevêdo
  given name: Ana Beatriz Fernandes
author list: Agent
  family name: Silva
  given name: Weslay Rodrigues da
author list: Agent
  family name: Sobral
  given name: Ana Paula Veras
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17329
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
attribution name: Santos et al.

Combination administration of alprazolam and N-Ethylmaleimide synergistically enhances sleep behaviors in mice with no potential CNS side effects
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM), an agonist of the potassium chloride cotransporters 2 (KCC2) receptor, has been correlated with neurosuppressive outcomes, including decreased pain perception and the prevention of epileptic seizures. Nevertheless, its relationship with sleep-inducing effects remains unreported. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the potential enhancement of NEM on the sleep-inducing properties of alprazolam (Alp). Methods The test of the righting reflex was used to identify the appropriate concentrations of Alp and NEM for inducing sleep-promoting effects in mice. Total sleep duration and sleep quality were evaluated through EEG/EMG analysis. The neural mechanism underlying the sleep-promoting effect was examined through c-fos immunoreactivity in the brain using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, potential CNS-side effects of the combination Alp and NEM were assessed using LABORAS automated home-cage behavioral phenotyping. Results Combination administration of Alp (1.84 mg/kg) and NEM (1.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration in comparison to administering 1.84 mg/kg Alp alone. This effect was characterized by a notable increase in REM duration. The findings from c-fos immunoreactivity indicated that NEM significantly suppressed neuron activation in brain regions associated with wakefulness. Additionally, combination administration of Alp and NEM showed no effects on mouse neural behaviors during automated home cage monitoring. Conclusions This study is the first to propose and demonstrate a combination therapy involving Alp and NEM that not only enhances the hypnotic effect but also mitigates potential CNS side effects, suggesting its potential application in treating insomnia.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Siqing Zhu
creator: Jingjing Shi
creator: Yi Zhang
creator: Xuejun Chen
creator: Tong Shi
creator: Liqin Li
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17342
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhu et al.
abstract: Background N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM), an agonist of the potassium chloride cotransporters 2 (KCC2) receptor, has been correlated with neurosuppressive outcomes, including decreased pain perception and the prevention of epileptic seizures. Nevertheless, its relationship with sleep-inducing effects remains unreported. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the potential enhancement of NEM on the sleep-inducing properties of alprazolam (Alp). Methods The test of the righting reflex was used to identify the appropriate concentrations of Alp and NEM for inducing sleep-promoting effects in mice. Total sleep duration and sleep quality were evaluated through EEG/EMG analysis. The neural mechanism underlying the sleep-promoting effect was examined through c-fos immunoreactivity in the brain using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, potential CNS-side effects of the combination Alp and NEM were assessed using LABORAS automated home-cage behavioral phenotyping. Results Combination administration of Alp (1.84 mg/kg) and NEM (1.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration in comparison to administering 1.84 mg/kg Alp alone. This effect was characterized by a notable increase in REM duration. The findings from c-fos immunoreactivity indicated that NEM significantly suppressed neuron activation in brain regions associated with wakefulness. Additionally, combination administration of Alp and NEM showed no effects on mouse neural behaviors during automated home cage monitoring. Conclusions This study is the first to propose and demonstrate a combination therapy involving Alp and NEM that not only enhances the hypnotic effect but also mitigates potential CNS side effects, suggesting its potential application in treating insomnia.
bibliographic citation: Zhu et al. (2024) Combination administration of alprazolam and N-Ethylmaleimide synergistically enhances sleep behaviors in mice with no potential CNS side effects. PeerJ 12:e17342 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17342
date submitted: 2023-12-08
date accepted: 2024-04-15
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Siqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Jingjing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xuejun
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Tong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Liqin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17342
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
copyright: ©2024 Zhu et al.
attribution name: Zhu et al.

Pathological caudal skeleton of an ichthyodectiform fish from the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation of western Kansas, USA
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: A series of 12 contiguous caudal vertebrae of an ichthyodectiform fish from the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation is described. The vertebral centra exhibit extensive overgrowth of pathological bone and there is additional pathological bone within the centra and intervertebral spaces, which together resulted in the coossification of most centra. The extent of the pathology is greatest on preural vertebrae 1-3 and decreases anteriorly, which suggests that the pathology began posteriorly and progressed anteriorly. In addition to the pathological overgrowth on bones, the specimen preserves features interpreted as calcified and/or ossified soft tissues associated with the neural and haemal canals. The pathologies are unlike previously described examples of bony pathologies in fish, and it is suggested that they resulted from combined bacterial and fungal infections. As the pathologies developed, they would have adversely impacted the fish’s swimming and feeding abilities, and presumably eventually led to the fish’s death.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: S Christopher Bennett
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17353
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Bennett
abstract: A series of 12 contiguous caudal vertebrae of an ichthyodectiform fish from the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation is described. The vertebral centra exhibit extensive overgrowth of pathological bone and there is additional pathological bone within the centra and intervertebral spaces, which together resulted in the coossification of most centra. The extent of the pathology is greatest on preural vertebrae 1-3 and decreases anteriorly, which suggests that the pathology began posteriorly and progressed anteriorly. In addition to the pathological overgrowth on bones, the specimen preserves features interpreted as calcified and/or ossified soft tissues associated with the neural and haemal canals. The pathologies are unlike previously described examples of bony pathologies in fish, and it is suggested that they resulted from combined bacterial and fungal infections. As the pathologies developed, they would have adversely impacted the fish’s swimming and feeding abilities, and presumably eventually led to the fish’s death.
bibliographic citation: Bennett (2024) Pathological caudal skeleton of an ichthyodectiform fish from the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation of western Kansas, USA. PeerJ 12:e17353 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17353
date submitted: 2024-02-15
date accepted: 2024-04-17
issued: 2024-05-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bennett
  given name: S Christopher
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17353
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-05-07
copyright: ©2024 Bennett
attribution name: Bennett

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