PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: The role of CXCL10 as a biomarker for immunological response among patients with leprosy: a systematic literature review
items: Selective concentration of iron, titanium, and zirconium substrate minerals within Gregory’s diverticulum, an organ unique to derived sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes)
items: Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters
items: Morphometric and taxonomic approach to describe Heterospio variabilis (Annelida, Longosomatidae), a new species with three size-dependent morphotypes, from the Gulf of California, Eastern Pacific
items: Atherosclerosis, gut microbiome, and exercise in a meta-omics perspective: a literature review
items: Analysis of twelve genomes of the bacterium Kerstersia gyiorum from brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus), the first from a non-human host
items: Preparation and characterization of vitamin E/calcium/soy protein isolate nanoparticles for soybean milk beverage fortification
items: Tailoring transcranial alternating current stimulation based on endogenous event-related P3 to modulate premature responses: a feasibility study
items: Relationship between intended force and actual force: comparison between athletes and non-athletes
items: Investigating mortality salience as a potential causal influence and moderator of responses to laboratory pain

The role of CXCL10 as a biomarker for immunological response among patients with leprosy: a systematic literature review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Introduction Involvement of a chemokine known as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 or CXCL10 in the immunopathology of leprosy has emerged as a possible immunological marker for leprosy diagnosis and needed to be investigate further. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess CXCL10’s potential utility as a leprosy diagnostic tool and evaluation of therapy. Methods This systematic review is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. A thorough search was carried out to find relevant studies only in English and limited in humans published up until September 2023 using PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library database with keywords based on medical subject headings (MeSH) and no exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was utilized for quality assessment, while the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS) was utilized for assessing the risk of bias. Additionally, a narrative synthesis was conducted to provide a comprehensive review of the results. Results We collected a total of 115 studies using defined keywords and 82 studies were eliminated after titles and abstracts were screened. We assessed the eligibility of the remaining 26 reports in full text and excluded four studies due to inappropriate study design and two studies with incomplete outcome data. There were twenty included studies in total with total of 2.525 samples. The included studies received NOS quality evaluation scores ranging from 6 to 8. The majority of items in the risk bias assessment, using RoBANS, across all included studies yielded low scores. However, certain items related to the selection of participants and confounding variables showed variations. Most of studies indicate that CXCL10 may be a helpful immunological marker for leprosy diagnosis, particularly in leprosy reactions as stated in seven studies. The results are better when paired with other immunological markers. Its effectiven…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Flora Ramona Sigit Prakoeswa
creator: Nabila Haningtyas
creator: Listiana Masyita Dewi
creator: Ellen Josephine Handoko
creator: Moch. Tabriz Azenta
creator: Muhana Fawwazy Ilyas
subject: Microbiology
subject: Allergy and Clinical Immunology
subject: Dermatology
subject: Immunology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17170
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Prakoeswa et al.
abstract: Introduction Involvement of a chemokine known as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 or CXCL10 in the immunopathology of leprosy has emerged as a possible immunological marker for leprosy diagnosis and needed to be investigate further. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess CXCL10’s potential utility as a leprosy diagnostic tool and evaluation of therapy. Methods This systematic review is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. A thorough search was carried out to find relevant studies only in English and limited in humans published up until September 2023 using PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library database with keywords based on medical subject headings (MeSH) and no exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was utilized for quality assessment, while the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS) was utilized for assessing the risk of bias. Additionally, a narrative synthesis was conducted to provide a comprehensive review of the results. Results We collected a total of 115 studies using defined keywords and 82 studies were eliminated after titles and abstracts were screened. We assessed the eligibility of the remaining 26 reports in full text and excluded four studies due to inappropriate study design and two studies with incomplete outcome data. There were twenty included studies in total with total of 2.525 samples. The included studies received NOS quality evaluation scores ranging from 6 to 8. The majority of items in the risk bias assessment, using RoBANS, across all included studies yielded low scores. However, certain items related to the selection of participants and confounding variables showed variations. Most of studies indicate that CXCL10 may be a helpful immunological marker for leprosy diagnosis, particularly in leprosy reactions as stated in seven studies. The results are better when paired with other immunological markers. Its effectiven…
bibliographic citation: Prakoeswa et al. (2024) The role of CXCL10 as a biomarker for immunological response among patients with leprosy: a systematic literature review. PeerJ 12:e17170 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17170
date submitted: 2023-12-29
date accepted: 2024-03-07
issued: 2024-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Prakoeswa
  given name: Flora Ramona Sigit
author list: Agent
  family name: Haningtyas
  given name: Nabila
author list: Agent
  family name: Dewi
  given name: Listiana Masyita
author list: Agent
  family name: Handoko
  given name: Ellen Josephine
author list: Agent
  family name: Azenta
  given name: Moch. Tabriz
author list: Agent
  family name: Ilyas
  given name: Muhana Fawwazy
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17170
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-05
copyright: © 2024 Prakoeswa et al.
attribution name: Prakoeswa et al.

Selective concentration of iron, titanium, and zirconium substrate minerals within Gregory’s diverticulum, an organ unique to derived sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Gregory’s diverticulum, a digestive tract structure unique to a derived group of sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes), is filled with sand grains obtained from the substrate the animals inhabit. The simple methods of shining a bright light through a specimen or testing response to a magnet can reveal the presence of a mineral-filled diverticulum. Heavy minerals with a specific gravity of >2.9 g/cm3 are selectively concentrated inside the organ, usually at concentrations one order of magnitude, or more, greater than found in the substrate. Analyses of diverticulum content for thirteen species from nine genera, using optical mineralogy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as micro-computed tomography shows the preference for selection of five major heavy minerals: magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), ilmenite (FeTiO3), rutile (TiO2), and zircon (ZrSiO4). Minor amounts of heavy or marginally heavy amphibole, pyroxene and garnet mineral grains may also be incorporated. In general, the animals exhibit a preference for mineral grains with a specific gravity of >4.0 g/cm3, although the choice is opportunistic and the actual mix of mineral species depends on the mineral composition of the substrate. The animals also select for grain size, with mineral grains generally in the range of 50 to 150 μm, and do not appear to alter this preference during ontogeny. A comparison of analytical methods demonstrates that X-ray attenuation measured using micro-computed tomography is a reliable non-destructive method for heavy mineral quantification when supported by associated analyses of mineral grains extracted destructively from specimens or from substrate collected together with the specimens. Commonalities in the electro-chemical surface properties of the ingested minerals suggest that such characteristics play an important role in the selection process.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Louis G. Zachos
creator: Alexander Ziegler
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17178
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zachos and Ziegler
abstract: Gregory’s diverticulum, a digestive tract structure unique to a derived group of sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes), is filled with sand grains obtained from the substrate the animals inhabit. The simple methods of shining a bright light through a specimen or testing response to a magnet can reveal the presence of a mineral-filled diverticulum. Heavy minerals with a specific gravity of >2.9 g/cm3 are selectively concentrated inside the organ, usually at concentrations one order of magnitude, or more, greater than found in the substrate. Analyses of diverticulum content for thirteen species from nine genera, using optical mineralogy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as micro-computed tomography shows the preference for selection of five major heavy minerals: magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), ilmenite (FeTiO3), rutile (TiO2), and zircon (ZrSiO4). Minor amounts of heavy or marginally heavy amphibole, pyroxene and garnet mineral grains may also be incorporated. In general, the animals exhibit a preference for mineral grains with a specific gravity of >4.0 g/cm3, although the choice is opportunistic and the actual mix of mineral species depends on the mineral composition of the substrate. The animals also select for grain size, with mineral grains generally in the range of 50 to 150 μm, and do not appear to alter this preference during ontogeny. A comparison of analytical methods demonstrates that X-ray attenuation measured using micro-computed tomography is a reliable non-destructive method for heavy mineral quantification when supported by associated analyses of mineral grains extracted destructively from specimens or from substrate collected together with the specimens. Commonalities in the electro-chemical surface properties of the ingested minerals suggest that such characteristics play an important role in the selection process.
bibliographic citation: Zachos et al. (2024) Selective concentration of iron, titanium, and zirconium substrate minerals within Gregory’s diverticulum, an organ unique to derived sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes). PeerJ 12:e17178 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17178
date submitted: 2023-10-20
date accepted: 2024-03-08
issued: 2024-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zachos
  given name: Louis G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ziegler
  given name: Alexander
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17178
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-05
copyright: © 2024 Zachos and Ziegler
attribution name: Zachos and Ziegler

Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). We used camera-traps to monitor den use by sympatric otters along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that giant otters were more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. Nocturnal activity was recorded in 11% of giant otter photos (n = 14 of 125 photos), but was recorded only once for neotropical otters. Den use by giant and neotropical otters overlapped spatially and temporally but not concurrently. We hypothesize that previously reported nocturnal activity in neotropical otters is facilitated by the absence or low density of giant otters. Our results also underscore the need to use complementary techniques together with den counts for monitoring otters as sympatric species can use the same dens.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Darren Norris
creator: Fernanda Michalski
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17244
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Norris and Michalski
abstract: Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). We used camera-traps to monitor den use by sympatric otters along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that giant otters were more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. Nocturnal activity was recorded in 11% of giant otter photos (n = 14 of 125 photos), but was recorded only once for neotropical otters. Den use by giant and neotropical otters overlapped spatially and temporally but not concurrently. We hypothesize that previously reported nocturnal activity in neotropical otters is facilitated by the absence or low density of giant otters. Our results also underscore the need to use complementary techniques together with den counts for monitoring otters as sympatric species can use the same dens.
bibliographic citation: Norris et al. (2024) Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. PeerJ 12:e17244 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17244
date submitted: 2023-10-09
date accepted: 2024-03-25
issued: 2024-04-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Norris
  given name: Darren
author list: Agent
  family name: Michalski
  given name: Fernanda
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17244
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-05
copyright: © 2024 Norris and Michalski
attribution name: Norris and Michalski

Morphometric and taxonomic approach to describe Heterospio variabilis (Annelida, Longosomatidae), a new species with three size-dependent morphotypes, from the Gulf of California, Eastern Pacific
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Longosomatidae, a poorly known polychaete family, includes only 23 recognized species; in this study, based on morphometric and taxonomic analyses, we describe a new species with three morphotypes: Heterospio variabilis from the Gulf of California, Mexico. The specimens examined exhibit large morphological variations but were clearly separated from close species due to a unique combination of morphological characters: chaetiger 9 as the first elongated chaetiger, four to eight branchial pairs; chaetae from chaetiger 10 forming rings in two rows, posterior row with thin and robust capillaries, anterior row with subuluncini, aristate spines, acicular spines and thick acicular spines. With the discriminant analysis, carried out on 11 morphometric characters, the presence of three morphological groups were recognized (Wilks’ lambda= 0.093, p = 0.0001). However, the variables selected to discriminate the specimens (partial Wilks’ lambda > 0.57) were correlated to their size: number of branchiae, body width, prostomium width, rate length CH9/CH1-CH8, length CH1-CH8 and length CH9 (r > 0.5). So, we concluded that they belong to a single species with three morphotypes: morpho A with eight branchial pairs, morpho B with 5–6–7 pairs and morpho C with 4 pairs. No correlations between the distribution of the distinct morphotypes along the eastern gulf shelf and the environmental conditions where they settle were detected.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pablo Hernández-Alcántara
creator: Vivianne Solis-Weiss
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17093
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Hernández-Alcántara and Solis-Weiss
abstract: The Longosomatidae, a poorly known polychaete family, includes only 23 recognized species; in this study, based on morphometric and taxonomic analyses, we describe a new species with three morphotypes: Heterospio variabilis from the Gulf of California, Mexico. The specimens examined exhibit large morphological variations but were clearly separated from close species due to a unique combination of morphological characters: chaetiger 9 as the first elongated chaetiger, four to eight branchial pairs; chaetae from chaetiger 10 forming rings in two rows, posterior row with thin and robust capillaries, anterior row with subuluncini, aristate spines, acicular spines and thick acicular spines. With the discriminant analysis, carried out on 11 morphometric characters, the presence of three morphological groups were recognized (Wilks’ lambda= 0.093, p = 0.0001). However, the variables selected to discriminate the specimens (partial Wilks’ lambda > 0.57) were correlated to their size: number of branchiae, body width, prostomium width, rate length CH9/CH1-CH8, length CH1-CH8 and length CH9 (r > 0.5). So, we concluded that they belong to a single species with three morphotypes: morpho A with eight branchial pairs, morpho B with 5–6–7 pairs and morpho C with 4 pairs. No correlations between the distribution of the distinct morphotypes along the eastern gulf shelf and the environmental conditions where they settle were detected.
bibliographic citation: Hernández-Alcántara et al. (2024) Morphometric and taxonomic approach to describe Heterospio variabilis (Annelida, Longosomatidae), a new species with three size-dependent morphotypes, from the Gulf of California, Eastern Pacific. PeerJ 12:e17093 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17093
date submitted: 2023-10-30
date accepted: 2024-02-20
issued: 2024-04-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernández-Alcántara
  given name: Pablo
author list: Agent
  family name: Solis-Weiss
  given name: Vivianne
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17093
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-04
copyright: ©2024 Hernández-Alcántara and Solis-Weiss
attribution name: Hernández-Alcántara and Solis-Weiss

Atherosclerosis, gut microbiome, and exercise in a meta-omics perspective: a literature review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, significantly impacting public health. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of these deaths, with atherosclerosis marking the initial and most critical phase of their pathophysiological progression. There is a complex relationship between atherosclerosis, the gut microbiome’s composition and function, and the potential mediating role of exercise. The adaptability of the gut microbiome and the feasibility of exercise interventions present novel opportunities for therapeutic and preventative approaches. Methodology We conducted a comprehensive literature review using professional databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. This review focuses on the application of meta-omics techniques, particularly metagenomics and metabolomics, in studying the effects of exercise interventions on the gut microbiome and atherosclerosis. Results Meta-omics technologies offer unparalleled capabilities to explore the intricate connections between exercise, the microbiome, the metabolome, and cardiometabolic health. This review highlights the advancements in metagenomics and metabolomics, their applications in research, and examines how exercise influences the gut microbiome. We delve into the mechanisms connecting these elements from a metabolic perspective. Metagenomics provides insight into changes in microbial strains post-exercise, while metabolomics sheds light on the shifts in metabolites. Together, these approaches offer a comprehensive understanding of how exercise impacts atherosclerosis through specific mechanisms. Conclusions Exercise significantly influences atherosclerosis, with the gut microbiome serving as a critical intermediary. Meta-omics technology holds substantial promise for investigating the gut microbiome; however, its methodologies require further refinement. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more extensive cohort studies to enhance our comprehensio…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Haotian Tang
creator: Yanqing Huang
creator: Didi Yuan
creator: Junwen Liu
subject: Microbiology
subject: Cardiology
subject: Metabolic Sciences
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17185
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Tang et al.
abstract: Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, significantly impacting public health. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of these deaths, with atherosclerosis marking the initial and most critical phase of their pathophysiological progression. There is a complex relationship between atherosclerosis, the gut microbiome’s composition and function, and the potential mediating role of exercise. The adaptability of the gut microbiome and the feasibility of exercise interventions present novel opportunities for therapeutic and preventative approaches. Methodology We conducted a comprehensive literature review using professional databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. This review focuses on the application of meta-omics techniques, particularly metagenomics and metabolomics, in studying the effects of exercise interventions on the gut microbiome and atherosclerosis. Results Meta-omics technologies offer unparalleled capabilities to explore the intricate connections between exercise, the microbiome, the metabolome, and cardiometabolic health. This review highlights the advancements in metagenomics and metabolomics, their applications in research, and examines how exercise influences the gut microbiome. We delve into the mechanisms connecting these elements from a metabolic perspective. Metagenomics provides insight into changes in microbial strains post-exercise, while metabolomics sheds light on the shifts in metabolites. Together, these approaches offer a comprehensive understanding of how exercise impacts atherosclerosis through specific mechanisms. Conclusions Exercise significantly influences atherosclerosis, with the gut microbiome serving as a critical intermediary. Meta-omics technology holds substantial promise for investigating the gut microbiome; however, its methodologies require further refinement. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more extensive cohort studies to enhance our comprehensio…
bibliographic citation: Tang et al. (2024) Atherosclerosis, gut microbiome, and exercise in a meta-omics perspective: a literature review. PeerJ 12:e17185 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17185
date submitted: 2023-12-14
date accepted: 2024-03-11
issued: 2024-04-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Haotian
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Yanqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Didi
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Junwen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17185
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-04
copyright: © 2024 Tang et al.
attribution name: Tang et al.

Analysis of twelve genomes of the bacterium Kerstersia gyiorum from brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus), the first from a non-human host
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Kerstersia gyiorum is a Gram-negative bacterium found in various animals, including humans, where it has been associated with various infections. Knowledge of the basic biology of K. gyiorum is essential to understand the evolutionary strategies of niche adaptation and how this organism contributes to infectious diseases; however, genomic data about K. gyiorum is very limited, especially from non-human hosts. In this work, we sequenced 12 K. gyiorum genomes isolated from healthy free-living brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (São Paulo, Brazil), and compared them with genomes from isolates of human origin, in order to gain insights into genomic diversity, phylogeny, and host specialization of this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these K. gyiorum strains are structured according to host. Despite the fact that sloth isolates were sampled from a single geographic location, the intra-sloth K. gyiorum diversity was divided into three clusters, with differences of more than 1,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms between them, suggesting the circulation of various K. gyiorum lineages in sloths. Genes involved in mobilome and defense mechanisms against mobile genetic elements were the main source of gene content variation between isolates from different hosts. Sloth-specific K. gyiorum genome features include an IncN2 plasmid, a phage sequence, and a CRISPR-Cas system. The broad diversity of defense elements in K. gyiorum (14 systems) may prevent further mobile element flow and explain the low amount of mobile genetic elements in K. gyiorum genomes. Gene content variation may be important for the adaptation of K. gyiorum to different host niches. This study furthers our understanding of diversity, host adaptation, and evolution of K. gyiorum, by presenting and analyzing the first genomes of non-human isolates.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Dennis Carhuaricra-Huaman
creator: Irys H.L. Gonzalez
creator: Patricia L. Ramos
creator: Aline M. da Silva
creator: Joao C. Setubal
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Genomics
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17206
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Carhuaricra-Huaman et al.
abstract: Kerstersia gyiorum is a Gram-negative bacterium found in various animals, including humans, where it has been associated with various infections. Knowledge of the basic biology of K. gyiorum is essential to understand the evolutionary strategies of niche adaptation and how this organism contributes to infectious diseases; however, genomic data about K. gyiorum is very limited, especially from non-human hosts. In this work, we sequenced 12 K. gyiorum genomes isolated from healthy free-living brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (São Paulo, Brazil), and compared them with genomes from isolates of human origin, in order to gain insights into genomic diversity, phylogeny, and host specialization of this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these K. gyiorum strains are structured according to host. Despite the fact that sloth isolates were sampled from a single geographic location, the intra-sloth K. gyiorum diversity was divided into three clusters, with differences of more than 1,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms between them, suggesting the circulation of various K. gyiorum lineages in sloths. Genes involved in mobilome and defense mechanisms against mobile genetic elements were the main source of gene content variation between isolates from different hosts. Sloth-specific K. gyiorum genome features include an IncN2 plasmid, a phage sequence, and a CRISPR-Cas system. The broad diversity of defense elements in K. gyiorum (14 systems) may prevent further mobile element flow and explain the low amount of mobile genetic elements in K. gyiorum genomes. Gene content variation may be important for the adaptation of K. gyiorum to different host niches. This study furthers our understanding of diversity, host adaptation, and evolution of K. gyiorum, by presenting and analyzing the first genomes of non-human isolates.
bibliographic citation: Carhuaricra-Huaman et al. (2024) Analysis of twelve genomes of the bacterium Kerstersia gyiorum from brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus), the first from a non-human host. PeerJ 12:e17206 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17206
date submitted: 2024-01-03
date accepted: 2024-03-18
issued: 2024-04-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Carhuaricra-Huaman
  given name: Dennis
author list: Agent
  family name: Gonzalez
  given name: Irys H.L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramos
  given name: Patricia L.
author list: Agent
  family name: da Silva
  given name: Aline M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Setubal
  given name: Joao C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17206
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-04
copyright: ©2024 Carhuaricra-Huaman et al.
attribution name: Carhuaricra-Huaman et al.

Preparation and characterization of vitamin E/calcium/soy protein isolate nanoparticles for soybean milk beverage fortification
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Soybean milk is a rich plant-based source of protein, and phenolic compounds. This study compared the nutritional value of soybean milk, flour, soy protein isolate (SPI) and evaluated the impact of prepared vitamin E/calcium salt/soy protein isolate nanoparticles (ECSPI-NPs) on fortification of developed soybean milk formulations. Results indicated that soybean flour protein content was 40.50 g/100 g, that fulfills 81% of the daily requirement (DV%), the unsaturated fatty acids (USFs), oleic and linoleic content was 21.98 and 56.7%, respectively, of total fatty acids content. In soybean milk, essential amino acids, threonine, leucine, lysine achieved 92.70, 90.81, 77.42% of amino acid scores (AAS) requirement values respectively. Ferulic acid was the main phenolic compound in soybean flour, milk and SPI (508.74, 13.28, 491.78 µg/g). Due to the moisture content of soybean milk (88.50%) against (7.10%) in soybean flour, the latest showed higher nutrients concentrations. The prepared calcium (20 mM/10 g SPI) and vitamin E (100 mg/g SPI) nanoparticles (ECSPI-NPs) exhibited that they were effectively synthesized under transmission electron microscope (TEM), stability in the zeta sizer analysis and safety up to IC50 value (202 ug/mL) on vero cell line. ECSPI-NPs fortification (NECM) enhanced significantly phenolic content (149.49 mg/mL), taste (6.10), texture (6.70) and consumer overall acceptance (6.54). Obtained results encourage the application of the prepared ECSPI-NPs for further functional foods applications.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Heba A. I. M. Taha
creator: Neveen F. M. Agamy
creator: Tarek N. Soliman
creator: Nashwa M. Younes
creator: Hesham Ali El-Enshasy
creator: Amira M. G. Darwish
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Food Science and Technology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17007
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Taha et al.
abstract: Soybean milk is a rich plant-based source of protein, and phenolic compounds. This study compared the nutritional value of soybean milk, flour, soy protein isolate (SPI) and evaluated the impact of prepared vitamin E/calcium salt/soy protein isolate nanoparticles (ECSPI-NPs) on fortification of developed soybean milk formulations. Results indicated that soybean flour protein content was 40.50 g/100 g, that fulfills 81% of the daily requirement (DV%), the unsaturated fatty acids (USFs), oleic and linoleic content was 21.98 and 56.7%, respectively, of total fatty acids content. In soybean milk, essential amino acids, threonine, leucine, lysine achieved 92.70, 90.81, 77.42% of amino acid scores (AAS) requirement values respectively. Ferulic acid was the main phenolic compound in soybean flour, milk and SPI (508.74, 13.28, 491.78 µg/g). Due to the moisture content of soybean milk (88.50%) against (7.10%) in soybean flour, the latest showed higher nutrients concentrations. The prepared calcium (20 mM/10 g SPI) and vitamin E (100 mg/g SPI) nanoparticles (ECSPI-NPs) exhibited that they were effectively synthesized under transmission electron microscope (TEM), stability in the zeta sizer analysis and safety up to IC50 value (202 ug/mL) on vero cell line. ECSPI-NPs fortification (NECM) enhanced significantly phenolic content (149.49 mg/mL), taste (6.10), texture (6.70) and consumer overall acceptance (6.54). Obtained results encourage the application of the prepared ECSPI-NPs for further functional foods applications.
bibliographic citation: Taha et al. (2024) Preparation and characterization of vitamin E/calcium/soy protein isolate nanoparticles for soybean milk beverage fortification. PeerJ 12:e17007 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17007
date submitted: 2023-10-12
date accepted: 2024-02-05
issued: 2024-04-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Taha
  given name: Heba A. I. M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Agamy
  given name: Neveen F. M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Soliman
  given name: Tarek N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Younes
  given name: Nashwa M.
author list: Agent
  family name: El-Enshasy
  given name: Hesham Ali
author list: Agent
  family name: Darwish
  given name: Amira M. G.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17007
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-03
copyright: © 2024 Taha et al.
attribution name: Taha et al.

Tailoring transcranial alternating current stimulation based on endogenous event-related P3 to modulate premature responses: a feasibility study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a brain stimulation method for modulating ongoing endogenous oscillatory activity at specified frequency during sensory and cognitive processes. Given the overlap between event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related oscillations (EROs), ERPs can be studied as putative biomarkers of the effects of tACS in the brain during cognitive/sensory task performance. Objective This preliminary study aimed to test the feasibility of individually tailored tACS based on individual P3 (latency and frequency) elicited during a cued premature response task. Thus, tACS frequency was individually tailored to match target-P3 ERO for each participant. Likewise, the target onset in the task was adjusted to match the tACS phase and target-P3 latency. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers underwent tACS in two separate sessions while performing a premature response task. Target-P3 latency and ERO were calculated in a baseline block during the first session to allow a posterior synchronization between the tACS and the endogenous oscillatory activity. The cue and target-P3 amplitudes, delta/theta ERO, and power spectral density (PSD) were evaluated pre and post-tACS blocks. Results Target-P3 amplitude significantly increased after activetACS, when compared to sham. Evoked-delta during cue-P3 was decreased after tACS. No effects were found for delta ERO during target-P3 nor for the PSD and behavioral outcomes. Conclusion The present findings highlight the possible effect of phase synchronization between individualized tACS parameters and endogenous oscillatory activity, which may result in an enhancement of the underlying process (i.e., an increase of target-P3). However, an unsuccessful synchronization between tACS and EEG activity might also result in a decrease in the evoked-delta activity during cue-P3. Further studies are needed to optimize the parameters of endogenous activity and tACS synchronization. The implications o…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Augusto J. Mendes
creator: Alberto Lema
creator: Sandra Carvalho
creator: Jorge Leite
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Human-Computer Interaction
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17144
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Mendes et al.
abstract: Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a brain stimulation method for modulating ongoing endogenous oscillatory activity at specified frequency during sensory and cognitive processes. Given the overlap between event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related oscillations (EROs), ERPs can be studied as putative biomarkers of the effects of tACS in the brain during cognitive/sensory task performance. Objective This preliminary study aimed to test the feasibility of individually tailored tACS based on individual P3 (latency and frequency) elicited during a cued premature response task. Thus, tACS frequency was individually tailored to match target-P3 ERO for each participant. Likewise, the target onset in the task was adjusted to match the tACS phase and target-P3 latency. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers underwent tACS in two separate sessions while performing a premature response task. Target-P3 latency and ERO were calculated in a baseline block during the first session to allow a posterior synchronization between the tACS and the endogenous oscillatory activity. The cue and target-P3 amplitudes, delta/theta ERO, and power spectral density (PSD) were evaluated pre and post-tACS blocks. Results Target-P3 amplitude significantly increased after activetACS, when compared to sham. Evoked-delta during cue-P3 was decreased after tACS. No effects were found for delta ERO during target-P3 nor for the PSD and behavioral outcomes. Conclusion The present findings highlight the possible effect of phase synchronization between individualized tACS parameters and endogenous oscillatory activity, which may result in an enhancement of the underlying process (i.e., an increase of target-P3). However, an unsuccessful synchronization between tACS and EEG activity might also result in a decrease in the evoked-delta activity during cue-P3. Further studies are needed to optimize the parameters of endogenous activity and tACS synchronization. The implications o…
bibliographic citation: Mendes et al. (2024) Tailoring transcranial alternating current stimulation based on endogenous event-related P3 to modulate premature responses: a feasibility study. PeerJ 12:e17144 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17144
date submitted: 2023-04-05
date accepted: 2024-02-29
issued: 2024-04-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mendes
  given name: Augusto J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Lema
  given name: Alberto
author list: Agent
  family name: Carvalho
  given name: Sandra
author list: Agent
  family name: Leite
  given name: Jorge
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17144
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-03
copyright: ©2024 Mendes et al.
attribution name: Mendes et al.

Relationship between intended force and actual force: comparison between athletes and non-athletes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether athletes (ATHL) and non-athletes (NON-ATHL) individuals had similar accuracy in matching intended to actual force during ballistic (BAL) and tonic (TON) isometric contractions. In this cross-sectional study, the subjects were divided into ATHL (n = 20; 22.4 ± 2.3 yrs; 73.2 ± 15.7 kg; 1.76 ± 0.08 m) and NON-ATHL (n = 20; 24.6 ± 2.4 yrs; 68.2 ± 15.0 kg; 1.73 ± 0.1 m) groups. The isometric quadriceps strength was measured with a load cell applied to a custom-built chair. For each condition, subjects performed at first three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) as reference. Then, subjects had to match three intended force intensities expressed in percentage of the MVIC (i.e., 25%, 50%, and 75%) without any external feedback. Subjects performed three trials for each force intensity. The accuracy (AC) was calculated as the absolute difference in percentage between the intended and the actual force. A Likert scale was administered for each trial to assess the subjective matching between the intended and the actual force. Statistical analysis showed that the ATHL group was more accurate (p < 0.001) than the NON-ATHL group. In contrast, the AC (p < 0.001) was lower when the force intensities increased independently from the group. Moreover, significantly higher AC (p < 0.001) and lower aggregate Likert scores (p < 0.001) were found in BAL than TON conditions. These results suggest that (i) sports practice could enhance muscle recruitment strategies by increasing the AC in the isometric task; (ii) differences between intended and actual force appeared to be intensity-dependent with lower AC at high force intensities; (iii) different control systems act in modulating BAL and TON contractions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alex Rizzato
creator: Giovanni Cantarella
creator: Elisa Basso
creator: Antonio Paoli
creator: Luca Rotundo
creator: Patrizia Bisiacchi
creator: Giuseppe Marcolin
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17156
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Rizzato et al.
abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether athletes (ATHL) and non-athletes (NON-ATHL) individuals had similar accuracy in matching intended to actual force during ballistic (BAL) and tonic (TON) isometric contractions. In this cross-sectional study, the subjects were divided into ATHL (n = 20; 22.4 ± 2.3 yrs; 73.2 ± 15.7 kg; 1.76 ± 0.08 m) and NON-ATHL (n = 20; 24.6 ± 2.4 yrs; 68.2 ± 15.0 kg; 1.73 ± 0.1 m) groups. The isometric quadriceps strength was measured with a load cell applied to a custom-built chair. For each condition, subjects performed at first three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) as reference. Then, subjects had to match three intended force intensities expressed in percentage of the MVIC (i.e., 25%, 50%, and 75%) without any external feedback. Subjects performed three trials for each force intensity. The accuracy (AC) was calculated as the absolute difference in percentage between the intended and the actual force. A Likert scale was administered for each trial to assess the subjective matching between the intended and the actual force. Statistical analysis showed that the ATHL group was more accurate (p < 0.001) than the NON-ATHL group. In contrast, the AC (p < 0.001) was lower when the force intensities increased independently from the group. Moreover, significantly higher AC (p < 0.001) and lower aggregate Likert scores (p < 0.001) were found in BAL than TON conditions. These results suggest that (i) sports practice could enhance muscle recruitment strategies by increasing the AC in the isometric task; (ii) differences between intended and actual force appeared to be intensity-dependent with lower AC at high force intensities; (iii) different control systems act in modulating BAL and TON contractions.
bibliographic citation: Rizzato et al. (2024) Relationship between intended force and actual force: comparison between athletes and non-athletes. PeerJ 12:e17156 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17156
date submitted: 2023-11-10
date accepted: 2024-03-04
issued: 2024-04-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rizzato
  given name: Alex
author list: Agent
  family name: Cantarella
  given name: Giovanni
author list: Agent
  family name: Basso
  given name: Elisa
author list: Agent
  family name: Paoli
  given name: Antonio
author list: Agent
  family name: Rotundo
  given name: Luca
author list: Agent
  family name: Bisiacchi
  given name: Patrizia
author list: Agent
  family name: Marcolin
  given name: Giuseppe
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17156
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-03
copyright: ©2024 Rizzato et al.
attribution name: Rizzato et al.

Investigating mortality salience as a potential causal influence and moderator of responses to laboratory pain
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Because pain can have profound ramifications for quality of life and daily functioning, understanding nuances in the interplay of psychosocial experiences with pain perception is vital for effective pain management. In separate lines of research, pain resilience and mortality salience have emerged as potentially important psychological correlates of reduced pain severity and increased tolerance of pain. However, to date, there has been a paucity of research examining potentially interactive effects of these factors on pain perception. To address this gap, the present experiment investigated mortality salience as a causal influence on tolerance of laboratory pain and a moderator of associations between pain resilience and pain tolerance within a Chinese sample. Methods Participants were healthy young Chinese adults (86 women, 84 men) who first completed a brief initial cold pressor test (CPT) followed by measures of demographics and pain resilience. Subsequently, participants randomly assigned to a mortality salience (MS) condition completed two open-ended essay questions in which they wrote about their death as well as a death anxiety scale while those randomly assigned to a control condition completed analogous tasks about watching television. Finally, all participants engaged in a delay task and a second CPT designed to measure post-manipulation pain tolerance and subjective pain intensity levels. Results MS condition cohorts showed greater pain tolerance than controls on the post-manipulation CPT, though pain intensity levels did not differ between groups. Moderator analyses indicated that the relationship between the behavior perseverance facet of pain resilience and pain tolerance was significantly stronger among MS condition participants than controls. Conclusions This experiment is the first to document potential causal effects of MS on pain tolerance and Ms as a moderator of the association between self-reported behavior perseverance and behaviora…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Beibei You
creator: Hongwei Wen
creator: Todd Jackson
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Rehabilitation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17204
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 You et al.
abstract: Background Because pain can have profound ramifications for quality of life and daily functioning, understanding nuances in the interplay of psychosocial experiences with pain perception is vital for effective pain management. In separate lines of research, pain resilience and mortality salience have emerged as potentially important psychological correlates of reduced pain severity and increased tolerance of pain. However, to date, there has been a paucity of research examining potentially interactive effects of these factors on pain perception. To address this gap, the present experiment investigated mortality salience as a causal influence on tolerance of laboratory pain and a moderator of associations between pain resilience and pain tolerance within a Chinese sample. Methods Participants were healthy young Chinese adults (86 women, 84 men) who first completed a brief initial cold pressor test (CPT) followed by measures of demographics and pain resilience. Subsequently, participants randomly assigned to a mortality salience (MS) condition completed two open-ended essay questions in which they wrote about their death as well as a death anxiety scale while those randomly assigned to a control condition completed analogous tasks about watching television. Finally, all participants engaged in a delay task and a second CPT designed to measure post-manipulation pain tolerance and subjective pain intensity levels. Results MS condition cohorts showed greater pain tolerance than controls on the post-manipulation CPT, though pain intensity levels did not differ between groups. Moderator analyses indicated that the relationship between the behavior perseverance facet of pain resilience and pain tolerance was significantly stronger among MS condition participants than controls. Conclusions This experiment is the first to document potential causal effects of MS on pain tolerance and Ms as a moderator of the association between self-reported behavior perseverance and behaviora…
bibliographic citation: You et al. (2024) Investigating mortality salience as a potential causal influence and moderator of responses to laboratory pain. PeerJ 12:e17204 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17204
date submitted: 2023-08-18
date accepted: 2024-03-15
issued: 2024-04-03
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: You
  given name: Beibei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Hongwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Jackson
  given name: Todd
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17204
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-04-03
copyright: © 2024 You et al.
attribution name: You et al.

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