Bacterial community profiles within the water samples of leptospirosis outbreak areas
Background Leptospirosis is a water-related zoonotic disease. The disease is primarily transmitted from animals to humans through pathogenic Leptospira bacteria in contaminated water and soil. Rivers have a critical role in Leptospira transmissions, while co-infection potentials with other waterborne bacteria might increase the severity and death risk of the disease. Methods The water samples evaluated in this study were collected from four recreational forest rivers, Sungai Congkak, Sungai Lopo, Hulu Perdik, and Gunung Nuang. The samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the 16S rRNA and in-depth metagenomic analysis of the bacterial communities. Results The water samples recorded various bacterial diversity. The samples from the Hulu Perdik and Sungai Lopo downstream sampling sites had a more significant diversity, followed by Sungai Congkak. Conversely, the upstream samples from Gunung Nuang exhibited the lowest bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla detected in downstream areas. Potential pathogenic bacteria belonging to the genera Burkholderiales and Serratia were also identified, raising concerns about co-infection possibilities. Nevertheless, Leptospira pathogenic bacteria were absent from all sites, which is attributable to its limited persistence. The bacteria might also be washed to other locations, contributing to the reduced environmental bacterial load. Conclusion The present study established the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the river ecosystems assessed. The findings offer valuable insights for designing strategies for preventing pathogenic bacteria environmental contamination and managing leptospirosis co-infections with other human diseases. Furthermore, closely monitoring water sample compositions with diverse approaches, including sentinel programs, wastewater-based epidemiology, and clinical surveillance, enables disease transmission and outbreak early detections. The data also provides valuable information for suitable treatments and long-term strategies for combating infectious diseases.
Md Lasim et al. (2024) Bacterial community profiles within the water samples of leptospirosis outbreak areas. PeerJ 12:e17096 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17096
Italian adaptation of the Multidimensional Iowa Suggestibility Scale (MISS)
Background Suggestibility is a personality trait that reflects a general tendency to accept messages. The Multidimensional Iowa Suggestibility Scale (MISS) is a self-report scale developed to measure the degree of individuals’ perceptions of their suggestibility. This study aimed to adapt the MISS in an Italian sample. Methods We conducted two studies. In the first study, 345 subjects (270 females (78%), mean age = 36.21 years ± 14.06 SD) completed the translated Italian version of the MISS, composed of five subscales (consumer suggestibility; persuadability; sensation contagion; physiological reactivity; peer conformity). We investigated the structural validity of the scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) testing four measurement models (unidimensional, four-factor, hierarchical four factors, and bifactor) and explored reliability in terms of internal consistency through the McDonald’s omega. In the second study, we cross-validated the MISS on a new independent sample. We enrolled 277 participants (196 females (71%), mean age 30.56, SD = 12.58) who underwent the new version of the scale. We performed factor analyses to test structural validity and compared four measurement models. Then, we investigated reliability and conducted a latent variable analysis to explore divergent validity. Results The CFA in the first study revealed a bifactor solution of the MISS. This structure was interpretable and provided an adequate fit for the data. The final version of the scale was reduced to forty-six items with globally good indices of adaptation. The scale also demonstrated acceptable reliability in terms of internal consistency through the McDonald’s Hierarchical Omega. In the second study, we found that the bifactor structure was confirmed. Factor loadings inspection revealed that there was no justification to report only the separate scores for the subscales. We also found that the scale showed good internal consistency, but mixed evidence for divergent validity. Conclusions In the end, the Italian version of the MISS demonstrated good psychometric properties which will be discussed in detail below.
Liuzza et al. (2024) Italian adaptation of the Multidimensional Iowa Suggestibility Scale (MISS). PeerJ 12:e17145 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17145
Assessing dietary specialization to inform the conservation of the fairy pitta (Pitta nympha), an endangered vermivore
Quantifying the diet of endangered species is crucial for conservation, especially for diet specialists, which can be more susceptible to environmental changes. The vulnerable fairy pitta (Pitta nympha) is considered a specialist that primarily feeds its nestlings with earthworms. However, there have been few studies of the nestling diet provisioned by parents, and no assessments of earthworm proportion in the diet of adults. Our study aimed to fill these gaps, shedding light on crucial factors for conservation. Combining new observations with existing literature, we confirmed a consistent dominance of earthworms in the nestling diet, regardless of rainfall, nestling age, and time of day. We extrapolated the total earthworm consumption during a breeding event, accounting for potential variation in the availability of earthworms and their prevalence in the adult diet. We used literature-based earthworm densities in pitta habitats and our estimates of family earthworm consumption to calculate the habitat area that could provide a pitta family with the number of earthworms consumed during a breeding event. The predictions matched observed pitta home range sizes when assumed that the adult diet is comprised of approximately 70% earthworms. The results highlight the importance of earthworm-rich habitats for conservation planning of the fairy pitta. To mitigate the effects of habitat destruction, we discuss conservation practices that may involve enhancing earthworm abundance in natural habitats and providing vegetation cover for foraging pittas in adjacent anthropogenic habitats rich in earthworms. To guide conservation efforts effectively, future studies should investigate whether previously reported breeding in developed plantation habitats is due to high earthworm abundance there. Future studies should also quantify correlations between local earthworm densities, home range size, and the breeding success of the fairy pitta.
Park et al. (2024) Assessing dietary specialization to inform the conservation of the fairy pitta (Pitta nympha), an endangered vermivore. PeerJ 12:e17189 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17189
Alpha lipoic acid mitigates adverse impacts of drought stress on growth and yield of mungbean: photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidative defense mechanism
Context Exogenous use of potential organic compounds through different modes is a promising strategy for the induction of water stress tolerance in crop plants for better yield. Aims The present study aimed to explore the potential role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in inducing water stress tolerance in mungbean lines when applied exogenously through various modes. Methods The experiment was conducted in a field with a split-plot arrangement, having three replicates for each treatment. Two irrigation regimes, including normal and reduced irrigation, were applied. The plants allocated to reduced irrigation were watered only at the reproductive stage. Three levels of ALA (0, 0.1, 0.15 mM) were applied through different modes (seed priming, foliar or priming+foliar). Key results ALA treatment through different modes manifested higher growth under reduced irrigation (water stress) and normal irrigation. Compared to the other two modes, the application of ALA as seed priming was found more effective in ameliorating the adverse impacts of water stress on growth and yield associated with their better content of leaf photosynthetic pigments, maintenance of plant water relations, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, improved activities of enzymatic antioxidants, and decreased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 levels. The maximum increase in shoot fresh weight (29% and 28%), shoot dry weight (27% and 24%), 100-grain weight (24% and 23%) and total grain yield (20% and 21%) in water-stressed mungbean plants of line 16003 and 16004, respectively, was recorded due to ALA seed priming than other modes of applications. Conclusions Conclusively, 0.1 and 0.15 mM levels of ALA as seed priming were found to reduce the adverse impact of water stress on mungbean yield that was associated with improved physio-biochemical mechanisms. Implications The findings of the study will be helpful for the agriculturalists working in arid and semi-arid regions to obtain a better yield of mungbean that will be helpful to fulfill the food demand in those areas to some extent.
Mian et al. (2024) Alpha lipoic acid mitigates adverse impacts of drought stress on growth and yield of mungbean: photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidative defense mechanism. PeerJ 12:e17191 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17191
Heavy metal levels and human health risk implications associated with fish consumption from the lower Omo river (Lotic) and Omo delta lake (Lentic), Ethiopia
This study is the first to determine the levels of heavy metals in commercially important fish species, namely Lates niloticus and Oreochromis niloticus and the potential human health risks associated with their consumption. A total of 120 fish samples were collected from the lower Omo river and Omo delta, with 60 samples from each water source. The fish tissue samples (liver and muscle) were analyzed using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer for nine heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The human health risk assessment tools used were the target hazard quotient (THQ), the hazard index (HI), and the target cancer risk (TCR). The mean levels of heavy metals detected in the liver and muscle of L. niloticus from the lower Omo river generally occurred in the order Fe > Zn > Pb> Cu > Mn> Cr > Co > Ni and Pb > Cu > Mn > Co > Ni, respectively. The mean levels of metals in the muscle and liver tissues of O. niloticus were in the order Fe > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Co > Ni and Pb > Zn > Mn > Fe > Cu > Co > Ni, respectively. Similarly, the mean levels of heavy metals detected in the liver and muscle of L. niloticus from Omo delta occurred in the order Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn > Cr > Co > Ni and Fe > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu > Co > Cr > Ni, respectively. The mean levels in the muscle and liver tissues of O. niloticus from the Omo delta were in the order Fe > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Co > Ni and Pb > Fe > Zn > Mn > Co > Cu > Ni, respectively. The study revealed that the THQ values were below 1, indicating that consumption of L. niloticus and O. niloticus from the studied sites does not pose a potential non-carcinogenic health risk. Although the TCR values for Pb in this study were within the tolerable range, it’s mean concentration in the muscle and liver tissues of both fish species from the two water bodies exceeded the permissible limit established by FAO/WHO. This is a warning sign for early intervention, and it emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of freshwater fish. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the pollution levels and human health risks of heavy metals in fish tissues from lower Omo river and Omo delta for environmental and public health concerns.
Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Kotacho et al. (2024) Heavy metal levels and human health risk implications associated with fish consumption from the lower Omo river (Lotic) and Omo delta lake (Lentic), Ethiopia. PeerJ 12:e17216 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17216
Assessment of sealing efficacy, radiopacity, and surface topography of a bioinspired polymer for perforation repair
Background Root perforation repair presents a significant challenge in dentistry due to inherent limitations of existing materials. This study explored the potential of a novel polydopamine-based composite as a root repair material by evaluating its sealing efficacy, radiopacity, and surface topography. Methods Confocal microscopy assessed sealing ability, comparing the polydopamine-based composite to the gold standard, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Radiopacity was evaluated using the aluminium step wedge technique conforming to ISO standards. Surface roughness analysis utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM), while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) visualized morphology. Results The polydopamine-based composite exhibited significantly superior sealing efficacy compared to MTA (P < 0.001). Radiopacity reached 3 mm aluminium equivalent, exceeding minimum clinical requirements. AFM analysis revealed a smooth surface topography, and FESEM confirmed successful composite synthesis. Conclusion This study demonstrates promising properties of the polydopamine-based composite for root perforation repair, including superior sealing efficacy, clinically relevant radiopacity, and smooth surface topography. Further investigation is warranted to assess its clinical viability and potential translation to endodontic practice.
Rao et al. (2024) Assessment of sealing efficacy, radiopacity, and surface topography of a bioinspired polymer for perforation repair. PeerJ 12:e17237 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17237
Systematics, distribution patterns and historical biogeography of the Central America wandering spider genus Kiekie Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 (Araneae: Ctenidae)
Kiekie Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 is a Neotropical genus of Ctenidae, with most of its species occuring in Central America. In this study, we review the systematics of Kiekie and describe five new species and the unknown females of K. barrocolorado Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 and K. garifuna Polotow & Brescovit, 2018, and the unknown male of K. verbena Polotow & Brescovit, 2018. In addition, we described the female of K. montanense which was wrongly assigned as K. griswoldi Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 (both species are sympatric). We provided a modified diagnosis for previously described species based on the morphology of the newly discovered species and in situ photographs of living specimens. We inferred a molecular phylogeny using four nuclear (histone H3, 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS-2) and three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I or COI, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) to test the monophyly of the genus and the evolutionary relationships of its species. Lastly, we reconstruct the historical biogeography and map diversity and endemism distributional patterns of the different species. This study increased the number of known species of Kiekie from 13 to 18, and we describe a new genus, Eldivo which is sister lineage of Kiekie. Most of the diversity and endemism of the genus Kiekie is located in the montane ecosystems of Costa Rica followed by the lowland rainforest of the Pacific side (Limon Basin). Kiekie originated in the North America Tropical region, this genus started diversifying in the Late Miocene and spread to Lower Central America and South America. In that region, Kiekie colonized independently several times the montane ecosystems corresponding to periods of uplifting of Talamanca and Central Cordilleras.
Hazzi et al. (2024) Systematics, distribution patterns and historical biogeography of the Central America wandering spider genus Kiekie Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 (Araneae: Ctenidae). PeerJ 12:e17242 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17242
A comprehensive dataset on biomechanics and motor control during human walking with discrete mechanical perturbations
Background Humans have a remarkable capability to maintain balance while walking. There is, however, a lack of publicly available research data on reactive responses to destabilizing perturbations during gait. Methods Here, we share a comprehensive dataset collected from 10 participants who experienced random perturbations while walking on an instrumented treadmill. Each participant performed six 5-min walking trials at a rate of 1.2 m/s, during which rapid belt speed perturbations could occur during the participant’s stance phase. Each gait cycle had a 17% probability of being perturbed. The perturbations consisted of an increase of belt speed by 0.75 m/s, delivered with equal probability at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the stance phase. Data were recorded using motion capture with 25 markers, eight inertial measurement units (IMUs), and electromyography (EMG) from the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), and gluteus maximus (GM). The full protocol is described in detail. Results We provide marker trajectories, force plate data, EMG data, and belt speed information for all trials and participants. IMU data is provided for most participants. This data can be useful for identifying neural feedback control in human gait, biologically inspired control systems for robots, and the development of clinical applications.
Lorenz et al. (2024) A comprehensive dataset on biomechanics and motor control during human walking with discrete mechanical perturbations. PeerJ 12:e17256 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17256
Contrasting effects of increasing dissolved iron on photosynthesis and O2 availability in the gastric cavity of two Mediterranean corals
Iron (Fe) plays a fundamental role in coral symbiosis, supporting photosynthesis, respiration, and many important enzymatic reactions. However, the extent to which corals are limited by Fe and their metabolic responses to inorganic Fe enrichment remains to be understood. We used respirometry, variable chlorophyll fluorescence, and O2 microsensors to investigate the impact of increasing Fe(III) concentrations (20, 50, and 100 nM) on the photosynthetic capacity of two Mediterranean coral species, Cladocora caespitosa and Oculina patagonica. While the bioavailability of inorganic Fe can rapidly decrease, we nevertheless observed significant physiological effects at all Fe concentrations. In C. caespitosa, exposure to 50 nM Fe(III) increased rates of respiration and photosynthesis, while the relative electron transport rate (rETR(II)) decreased at higher Fe(III) exposure (100 nM). In contrast, O. patagonica reduced respiration, photosynthesis rates, and maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm) across all iron enrichments. Both corals exhibited increased hypoxia (<50 µmol O2 L−1) within their gastric cavity at night when exposed to 50 and 100 nM Fe(III), leading to increased polyp contraction time and reduced O2 exchange with the surrounding water. Our results indicate that C. caespitosa, but not O. patagonica, might be limited in Fe for achieving maximal photosynthetic efficiency. Understanding the multifaceted role of iron in corals’ health and their response to environmental change is crucial for effective coral conservation.
Dellisanti et al. (2024) Contrasting effects of increasing dissolved iron on photosynthesis and O2 availability in the gastric cavity of two Mediterranean corals. PeerJ 12:e17259 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17259
Exploring exercise-driven exerkines: unraveling the regulation of metabolism and inflammation
Exercise has many beneficial effects that provide health and metabolic benefits. Signaling molecules are released from organs and tissues in response to exercise stimuli and are widely termed exerkines, which exert influence on a multitude of intricate multi-tissue processes, such as muscle, adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, cardiovascular tissue, kidney, and bone. For the metabolic effect, exerkines regulate the metabolic homeostasis of organisms by increasing glucose uptake and improving fat synthesis. For the anti-inflammatory effect, exerkines positively influence various chronic inflammation-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. This review highlights the prospective contribution of exerkines in regulating metabolism, augmenting the anti-inflammatory effects, and providing additional advantages associated with exercise. Moreover, a comprehensive overview and analysis of recent advancements are provided in this review, in addition to predicting future applications used as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target to benefit patients with chronic diseases.
Zhou et al. (2024) Exploring exercise-driven exerkines: unraveling the regulation of metabolism and inflammation. PeerJ 12:e17267 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17267