PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Mammal dung–dung beetle trophic networks: an improved method based on gut-content DNA
items: Clinical significance of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
items: Conspecific and heterospecific cueing in shelter choices of Blaptica dubia cockroaches
items: Comparing the effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora in diabetic mice
items: Characterization of social frailty domains and related adverse health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific: a systematic literature review
items: The influence of stand composition and season on canopy structure and understory light environment in different subtropical montane Pinus massoniana forests
items: Resting heart rate and risk of dementia: a Mendelian randomization study in the international genomics of Alzheimer’s Project and UK Biobank
items: Exploring the antioxidant potential of chalcogen-indolizines throughout in vitro assays
items: https://peerj.com/articles/17077
items: The role of temperature on the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers

Mammal dung–dung beetle trophic networks: an improved method based on gut-content DNA
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Dung beetles provide many important ecosystem services, including dung decomposition, pathogen control, soil aeration, and secondary seed dispersal. Yet, the biology of most dung beetles remains unknown. Natural diets are poorly studied, partly because previous research has focused on choice or attraction experiments using few, easily accessible dung types from zoo animals, farm animals, or humans. This way, many links within natural food webs have certainly been missed. In this work, we aimed to establish a protocol to analyze the natural diets of dung beetles using DNA gut barcoding. Methods First, the feasibility of gut-content DNA extraction and amplification of 12s rDNA from six different mammal dung types was tested in the laboratory. We then applied the method to beetles caught in pitfall traps in Ecuador and Germany by using 12s rDNA primers. For a subset of the dung beetles caught in the Ecuador sampling, we also used 16s rDNA primers to see if these would improve the number of species we could identify. We predicted the likelihood of amplifying DNA using gut fullness, DNA concentration, PCR primer, collection method, and beetle species as predictor variables in a dominance analysis. Based on the gut barcodes, we generated a dung beetle-mammal network for both field sites (Ecuador and Germany) and analyzed the levels of network specificity. Results We successfully amplified mammal DNA from dung beetle gut contents for 128 specimens, which included such prominent species as Panthera onca (jaguar) and Puma concolor (puma). The overall success rate of DNA amplification was 53%. The best predictors for amplification success were gut fullness and DNA concentration, suggesting the success rate can be increased by focusing on beetles with a full gut. The mammal dung–dung beetle networks differed from purely random network models and showed a moderate degree of network specialization (H2′: Ecuador = 0.49; Germany = 0.41). Conclusion We here present a rel…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Karen M. Pedersen
creator: Christoph von Beeren
creator: Arianna Oggioni
creator: Nico Blüthgen
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16627
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Pedersen et al.
abstract: Background Dung beetles provide many important ecosystem services, including dung decomposition, pathogen control, soil aeration, and secondary seed dispersal. Yet, the biology of most dung beetles remains unknown. Natural diets are poorly studied, partly because previous research has focused on choice or attraction experiments using few, easily accessible dung types from zoo animals, farm animals, or humans. This way, many links within natural food webs have certainly been missed. In this work, we aimed to establish a protocol to analyze the natural diets of dung beetles using DNA gut barcoding. Methods First, the feasibility of gut-content DNA extraction and amplification of 12s rDNA from six different mammal dung types was tested in the laboratory. We then applied the method to beetles caught in pitfall traps in Ecuador and Germany by using 12s rDNA primers. For a subset of the dung beetles caught in the Ecuador sampling, we also used 16s rDNA primers to see if these would improve the number of species we could identify. We predicted the likelihood of amplifying DNA using gut fullness, DNA concentration, PCR primer, collection method, and beetle species as predictor variables in a dominance analysis. Based on the gut barcodes, we generated a dung beetle-mammal network for both field sites (Ecuador and Germany) and analyzed the levels of network specificity. Results We successfully amplified mammal DNA from dung beetle gut contents for 128 specimens, which included such prominent species as Panthera onca (jaguar) and Puma concolor (puma). The overall success rate of DNA amplification was 53%. The best predictors for amplification success were gut fullness and DNA concentration, suggesting the success rate can be increased by focusing on beetles with a full gut. The mammal dung–dung beetle networks differed from purely random network models and showed a moderate degree of network specialization (H2′: Ecuador = 0.49; Germany = 0.41). Conclusion We here present a rel…
bibliographic citation: Pedersen et al. (2024) Mammal dung–dung beetle trophic networks: an improved method based on gut-content DNA. PeerJ 12:e16627 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16627
date submitted: 2023-01-07
date accepted: 2023-11-16
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pedersen
  given name: Karen M.
author list: Agent
  family name: von Beeren
  given name: Christoph
author list: Agent
  family name: Oggioni
  given name: Arianna
author list: Agent
  family name: Blüthgen
  given name: Nico
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16627
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: ©2024 Pedersen et al.
attribution name: Pedersen et al.

Clinical significance of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background & Aims Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 (SNRNP70) as one of the components of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) is rarely reported in cancers. This study aims to estimate the application potential of SNRNP70 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical practice. Methods Based on the TCGA database and cohort of HCC patients, we investigated the expression patterns and prognostic value of SNRNP70 in HCC. Then, the combination of SNRNP70 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in 278 HCC cases was analyzed. Next, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of SNRNP70 in nucleus and cytoplasm. Finally, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch wound healing assays were used to detect the effect of SNRNP70 on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Results SNRNP70 was highly expressed in HCC. Its expression was increasingly high during the progression of HCC and was positively related to immune infiltration cells. Higher SNRNP70 expression indicated a poor outcome of HCC patients. In addition, nuclear SNRNP70/AFP combination could be a prognostic biomarker for overall survival and recurrence. Cell experiments confirmed that knockdown of SNRNP70 inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Conclusion SNRNP70 may be a new biomarker for HCC progression and HCC diagnosis as well as prognosis. SNRNP70 combined with serum AFP may indicate the prognosis and recurrence status of HCC patients after operation.
format: application/pdf
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creator: Dong Jiang
creator: Xia-Ling Zhu
creator: Yan An
creator: Yi-ran Li
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16876
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Jiang et al.
abstract: Background & Aims Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 (SNRNP70) as one of the components of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) is rarely reported in cancers. This study aims to estimate the application potential of SNRNP70 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical practice. Methods Based on the TCGA database and cohort of HCC patients, we investigated the expression patterns and prognostic value of SNRNP70 in HCC. Then, the combination of SNRNP70 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in 278 HCC cases was analyzed. Next, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of SNRNP70 in nucleus and cytoplasm. Finally, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch wound healing assays were used to detect the effect of SNRNP70 on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Results SNRNP70 was highly expressed in HCC. Its expression was increasingly high during the progression of HCC and was positively related to immune infiltration cells. Higher SNRNP70 expression indicated a poor outcome of HCC patients. In addition, nuclear SNRNP70/AFP combination could be a prognostic biomarker for overall survival and recurrence. Cell experiments confirmed that knockdown of SNRNP70 inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Conclusion SNRNP70 may be a new biomarker for HCC progression and HCC diagnosis as well as prognosis. SNRNP70 combined with serum AFP may indicate the prognosis and recurrence status of HCC patients after operation.
bibliographic citation: Jiang et al. (2024) Clinical significance of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 12:e16876 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16876
date submitted: 2023-04-07
date accepted: 2024-01-11
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Dong
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Xia-Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: An
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Yi-ran
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16876
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: ©2024 Jiang et al.
attribution name: Jiang et al.

Conspecific and heterospecific cueing in shelter choices of Blaptica dubia cockroaches
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Like many cockroaches, Argentinian wood roaches, Blaptica dubia, prefer darker shelters over lighter shelters. In three experiments, we asked whether chemical cues from other roaches might influence shelter choice, a process known as conspecific or heterospecific cueing, depending on whether the cues come from an individual of the same or a different species, respectively. Methods Each experiment involved trials with focal B. dubia cockroaches in testing arenas containing plastic shelters of varying levels of darkness, with filter paper under each shelter acting as a carrier for chemical cues. In Experiment 1, we tested female and male B. dubia cockroaches with two shelters matched for darkness but differing in cues (conspecific vs. none). The shelter with no cue contained a blank filter paper as a control. In Experiment 2 (conspecific cueing) and Experiment 3 (heterospecific cueing), we tested B. dubia cockroach choices for lighter or darker shelters with filter papers containing chemical cues of other roaches or no chemical cues. For the conspecific cueing study of Experiment 2, we used chemical cues from other B. dubia cockroaches. In contrast, for the heterospecific cueing study of Experiment 3, we used chemical cues from a different species, the death’s head cockroach, Blaberus craniifer. Results In Experiment 1, B. dubia cockroaches overwhelmingly preferred shelters with conspecific chemical cues over darkness-matched shelters without cues. In Experiments 2 and 3, they strongly preferred darker shelters, especially when chemical cues were present. Additionally, they were more likely to be under the lighter shelter when chemical cues were present there. These results reveal that the public information B. dubia cockroaches gain from chemical cues—including those from other species—can drive shelter choices in this species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Todd M. Freeberg
creator: S. Ryan Risner
creator: Sarah Y. Lang
creator: Sylvain Fiset
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16891
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Freeberg et al.
abstract: Background Like many cockroaches, Argentinian wood roaches, Blaptica dubia, prefer darker shelters over lighter shelters. In three experiments, we asked whether chemical cues from other roaches might influence shelter choice, a process known as conspecific or heterospecific cueing, depending on whether the cues come from an individual of the same or a different species, respectively. Methods Each experiment involved trials with focal B. dubia cockroaches in testing arenas containing plastic shelters of varying levels of darkness, with filter paper under each shelter acting as a carrier for chemical cues. In Experiment 1, we tested female and male B. dubia cockroaches with two shelters matched for darkness but differing in cues (conspecific vs. none). The shelter with no cue contained a blank filter paper as a control. In Experiment 2 (conspecific cueing) and Experiment 3 (heterospecific cueing), we tested B. dubia cockroach choices for lighter or darker shelters with filter papers containing chemical cues of other roaches or no chemical cues. For the conspecific cueing study of Experiment 2, we used chemical cues from other B. dubia cockroaches. In contrast, for the heterospecific cueing study of Experiment 3, we used chemical cues from a different species, the death’s head cockroach, Blaberus craniifer. Results In Experiment 1, B. dubia cockroaches overwhelmingly preferred shelters with conspecific chemical cues over darkness-matched shelters without cues. In Experiments 2 and 3, they strongly preferred darker shelters, especially when chemical cues were present. Additionally, they were more likely to be under the lighter shelter when chemical cues were present there. These results reveal that the public information B. dubia cockroaches gain from chemical cues—including those from other species—can drive shelter choices in this species.
bibliographic citation: Freeberg et al. (2024) Conspecific and heterospecific cueing in shelter choices of Blaptica dubia cockroaches. PeerJ 12:e16891 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16891
date submitted: 2023-06-01
date accepted: 2024-02-19
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Freeberg
  given name: Todd M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Risner
  given name: S. Ryan
author list: Agent
  family name: Lang
  given name: Sarah Y.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fiset
  given name: Sylvain
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16891
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Freeberg et al.
attribution name: Freeberg et al.

Comparing the effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora in diabetic mice
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background and Objectives Recent studies have shown that the imbalance of intestinal flora is related to the occurrence and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and can affect lipid metabolism. Sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist are commonly used hypoglycemic drugs and have excellent renal safety. The purpose of this study was to compare the protective effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on kidneys, lipid metabolism, and intestinal microbiota in diabetic mice. Methods We established a mouse model of type two diabetes by feeding rats a high-fat diet (HFD) followed by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The mice were randomly divided into groups: normal control (NC), diabetic model (DM), liraglutide treatment (LirT), empagliflozin treatment (EmpT), and liraglutide combined with empagliflozin treatment (Emp&LirT) groups. Blood glucose, lipids, creatinine, and uric acid, as well as urinary nitrogen and albumin levels were measured. The renal tissues were subjected to HE, PAS and Masson’s staining. These parameters were used to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes in mice. Mice feces were also collected for 16sRNA sequencing to analyze the composition of the intestinal flora. Results All the indexes related to renal function were significantly improved after treatment with drugs. With respect to lipid metabolism, both drugs significantly decreased the serum triglyceride levels in diabetic mice, but the effect of liraglutide on reducing serum cholesterol was better than that of empagliflozin. However, empagliflozin had a better effect on the reduction of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The two drugs had different effects on intestinal flora. At the phylum level, empagliflozin significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota, but no effect was seen with liraglutide. At the genus level, both of them decreased the number of Helicobacter and increased the number…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qiong Yang
creator: Ling Deng
creator: Changmei Feng
creator: Jianghua Wen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17055
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Yang et al.
abstract: Background and Objectives Recent studies have shown that the imbalance of intestinal flora is related to the occurrence and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and can affect lipid metabolism. Sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist are commonly used hypoglycemic drugs and have excellent renal safety. The purpose of this study was to compare the protective effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on kidneys, lipid metabolism, and intestinal microbiota in diabetic mice. Methods We established a mouse model of type two diabetes by feeding rats a high-fat diet (HFD) followed by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The mice were randomly divided into groups: normal control (NC), diabetic model (DM), liraglutide treatment (LirT), empagliflozin treatment (EmpT), and liraglutide combined with empagliflozin treatment (Emp&LirT) groups. Blood glucose, lipids, creatinine, and uric acid, as well as urinary nitrogen and albumin levels were measured. The renal tissues were subjected to HE, PAS and Masson’s staining. These parameters were used to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes in mice. Mice feces were also collected for 16sRNA sequencing to analyze the composition of the intestinal flora. Results All the indexes related to renal function were significantly improved after treatment with drugs. With respect to lipid metabolism, both drugs significantly decreased the serum triglyceride levels in diabetic mice, but the effect of liraglutide on reducing serum cholesterol was better than that of empagliflozin. However, empagliflozin had a better effect on the reduction of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The two drugs had different effects on intestinal flora. At the phylum level, empagliflozin significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota, but no effect was seen with liraglutide. At the genus level, both of them decreased the number of Helicobacter and increased the number…
bibliographic citation: Yang et al. (2024) Comparing the effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora in diabetic mice. PeerJ 12:e17055 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17055
date submitted: 2023-09-18
date accepted: 2024-02-14
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Qiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Deng
  given name: Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Changmei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Jianghua
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17055
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Yang et al.
attribution name: Yang et al.

Characterization of social frailty domains and related adverse health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific: a systematic literature review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Frailty is a significant healthcare challenge worldwide, increasing interest in developing more assessment tools covering for frailty. Recently, there has been a growing awareness of a correlation between social variables and frailty in older people. However, there is a lack of understanding of the social domains of frailty and the related adverse outcomes, particularly in the Asia-Pacific settings. This study aimed to characterize the social frailty domains and their health outcomes by overviewing the frailty screening tools in older people living in the Asia-Pacific region. Methodology A systematic review, using the PRISMA guideline, was conducted on articles published between 2002 and 2023 from three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A manual search was conducted for the references of the included articles using Google Scholar. Included articles must be in English and were based on empirical evidence published in peer-reviewed journals and focus on the assessment of domains of social frailty in older people aged 60 or over in the Asia-Pacific (East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania). Result A total of 31 studies were included in the thematic analysis, from which 16 screening tools measuring six social domains were reviewed. The six domains were: social networks, followed by social activities, social support, financial difficulties, social roles, and socioeconomic, arranged in four categories: social resources, social needs, social behaviors (or social activities), and general resources. The six social domains predicted mortality, physical difficulties, and disability incidence. Other adverse health outcomes were also associated with these social domains, including cognitive disorders, mental illness, and nutritional disorders (n = 5 domains each), dementia (n = 4 domains), and oral frailty, hearing loss, obesity, and chronic pain (n = 3 domains each). Conclusion Overall, social frailty is a complex construct with multiple dimensi…
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creator: Tengku Aizan Hamid
creator: Sarah Abdulkareem Salih
creator: Siti Farra Zillah Abdullah
creator: Rahimah Ibrahim
creator: Aidalina Mahmud
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17058
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Hamid et al.
abstract: Background Frailty is a significant healthcare challenge worldwide, increasing interest in developing more assessment tools covering for frailty. Recently, there has been a growing awareness of a correlation between social variables and frailty in older people. However, there is a lack of understanding of the social domains of frailty and the related adverse outcomes, particularly in the Asia-Pacific settings. This study aimed to characterize the social frailty domains and their health outcomes by overviewing the frailty screening tools in older people living in the Asia-Pacific region. Methodology A systematic review, using the PRISMA guideline, was conducted on articles published between 2002 and 2023 from three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A manual search was conducted for the references of the included articles using Google Scholar. Included articles must be in English and were based on empirical evidence published in peer-reviewed journals and focus on the assessment of domains of social frailty in older people aged 60 or over in the Asia-Pacific (East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania). Result A total of 31 studies were included in the thematic analysis, from which 16 screening tools measuring six social domains were reviewed. The six domains were: social networks, followed by social activities, social support, financial difficulties, social roles, and socioeconomic, arranged in four categories: social resources, social needs, social behaviors (or social activities), and general resources. The six social domains predicted mortality, physical difficulties, and disability incidence. Other adverse health outcomes were also associated with these social domains, including cognitive disorders, mental illness, and nutritional disorders (n = 5 domains each), dementia (n = 4 domains), and oral frailty, hearing loss, obesity, and chronic pain (n = 3 domains each). Conclusion Overall, social frailty is a complex construct with multiple dimensi…
bibliographic citation: Hamid et al. (2024) Characterization of social frailty domains and related adverse health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific: a systematic literature review. PeerJ 12:e17058 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17058
date submitted: 2023-09-26
date accepted: 2024-02-15
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hamid
  given name: Tengku Aizan
author list: Agent
  family name: Salih
  given name: Sarah Abdulkareem
author list: Agent
  family name: Zillah Abdullah
  given name: Siti Farra
author list: Agent
  family name: Ibrahim
  given name: Rahimah
author list: Agent
  family name: Mahmud
  given name: Aidalina
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17058
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Hamid et al.
attribution name: Hamid et al.

The influence of stand composition and season on canopy structure and understory light environment in different subtropical montane Pinus massoniana forests
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Canopy structure and understory light have important effects on forest productivity and the growth and distribution of the understory. However, the effects of stand composition and season on canopy structure and understory light environment (ULE) in the subtropical mountain Pinus massoniana forest system are poorly understood. In this study, the natural secondary P. massoniana—Castanopsis eyrei mixed forest (MF) and P. massoniana plantation forest (PF) were investigated. The study utilized Gap Light Analyzer 2.0 software to process photographs, extracting two key canopy parameters, canopy openness (CO) and leaf area index (LAI). Additionally, data on the transmitted direct (Tdir), diffuse (Tdif), and total (Ttot) radiation in the light environment were obtained. Seasonal variations in canopy structure, the ULE, and spatial heterogeneity were analyzed in the two P. massoniana forest stands. The results showed highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in canopy structure and ULE indices among different P. massoniana forest types and seasons. CO and ULE indices (Tdir, Tdif, and Ttot) were significantly lower in the MF than in the PF, while LAI was notably higher in the MF than in the PF. CO was lower in summer than in winter, and both LAI and ULE indices were markedly higher in summer than in winter. In addition, canopy structure and ULE indices varied significantly among different types of P. massoniana stands. The LAI heterogeneity was lower in the MF than in the PF, and Tdir heterogeneity was higher in summer than in winter. Meanwhile, canopy structure and ULE indices were predominantly influenced by structural factors, with spatial correlations at the 10 m scale. Our results revealed that forest type and season were important factors affecting canopy structure, ULE characteristics, and heterogeneity of P. massoniana forests in subtropical mountains.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Peng Jin
creator: Ming Xu
creator: Qiupu Yang
creator: Jian Zhang
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17067
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Jin et al.
abstract: Canopy structure and understory light have important effects on forest productivity and the growth and distribution of the understory. However, the effects of stand composition and season on canopy structure and understory light environment (ULE) in the subtropical mountain Pinus massoniana forest system are poorly understood. In this study, the natural secondary P. massoniana—Castanopsis eyrei mixed forest (MF) and P. massoniana plantation forest (PF) were investigated. The study utilized Gap Light Analyzer 2.0 software to process photographs, extracting two key canopy parameters, canopy openness (CO) and leaf area index (LAI). Additionally, data on the transmitted direct (Tdir), diffuse (Tdif), and total (Ttot) radiation in the light environment were obtained. Seasonal variations in canopy structure, the ULE, and spatial heterogeneity were analyzed in the two P. massoniana forest stands. The results showed highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in canopy structure and ULE indices among different P. massoniana forest types and seasons. CO and ULE indices (Tdir, Tdif, and Ttot) were significantly lower in the MF than in the PF, while LAI was notably higher in the MF than in the PF. CO was lower in summer than in winter, and both LAI and ULE indices were markedly higher in summer than in winter. In addition, canopy structure and ULE indices varied significantly among different types of P. massoniana stands. The LAI heterogeneity was lower in the MF than in the PF, and Tdir heterogeneity was higher in summer than in winter. Meanwhile, canopy structure and ULE indices were predominantly influenced by structural factors, with spatial correlations at the 10 m scale. Our results revealed that forest type and season were important factors affecting canopy structure, ULE characteristics, and heterogeneity of P. massoniana forests in subtropical mountains.
bibliographic citation: Jin et al. (2024) The influence of stand composition and season on canopy structure and understory light environment in different subtropical montane Pinus massoniana forests. PeerJ 12:e17067 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17067
date submitted: 2023-10-03
date accepted: 2024-02-18
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jin
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Ming
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Qiupu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jian
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17067
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Jin et al.
attribution name: Jin et al.

Resting heart rate and risk of dementia: a Mendelian randomization study in the international genomics of Alzheimer’s Project and UK Biobank
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Observational studies have demonstrated that a higher resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, it is not clear whether the association is causal. This study aimed to determine the causal effects of higher genetically predicted RHR on the risk of dementia. Methods We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal effect of higher genetically predicted RHR on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. The generalized summary Mendelian randomization (GSMR) analysis was used to analyze the corresponding effects of RHR on following different outcomes: 1) diagnosis of AD (International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project), 2) family history (maternal and paternal) of AD from UK Biobank, 3) combined meta-analysis including these three GWAS results. Further analyses were conducted to determine the possibility of reverse causal association by adjusting for RHR modifying medication. Results The results of GSMR showed no significant causal effect of higher genetically predicted RHR on the risk of AD (βGSMR = 0.12, P = 0.30). GSMR applied to the maternal family history of AD (βGSMR = −0.18, P = 0.13) and to the paternal family history of AD (βGSMR = −0.14, P = 0.39) showed the same results. Furthermore, the results were robust after adjusting for RHR modifying drugs (βGSMR = −0.03, P = 0.72). Conclusion Our study did not find any evidence that supports a causal effect of RHR on dementia. Previous observational associations between RHR and dementia are likely attributed to the correlation between RHR and other cardiovascular diseases.
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format: text/html
creator: Xingxing Chen
creator: Yi Zheng
creator: Jun Wang
creator: Blake Yue
creator: Xian Zhang
creator: Kenta Nakai
creator: Lijing L. Yan
subject: Cardiology
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17073
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Chen et al.
abstract: Background Observational studies have demonstrated that a higher resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, it is not clear whether the association is causal. This study aimed to determine the causal effects of higher genetically predicted RHR on the risk of dementia. Methods We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal effect of higher genetically predicted RHR on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. The generalized summary Mendelian randomization (GSMR) analysis was used to analyze the corresponding effects of RHR on following different outcomes: 1) diagnosis of AD (International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project), 2) family history (maternal and paternal) of AD from UK Biobank, 3) combined meta-analysis including these three GWAS results. Further analyses were conducted to determine the possibility of reverse causal association by adjusting for RHR modifying medication. Results The results of GSMR showed no significant causal effect of higher genetically predicted RHR on the risk of AD (βGSMR = 0.12, P = 0.30). GSMR applied to the maternal family history of AD (βGSMR = −0.18, P = 0.13) and to the paternal family history of AD (βGSMR = −0.14, P = 0.39) showed the same results. Furthermore, the results were robust after adjusting for RHR modifying drugs (βGSMR = −0.03, P = 0.72). Conclusion Our study did not find any evidence that supports a causal effect of RHR on dementia. Previous observational associations between RHR and dementia are likely attributed to the correlation between RHR and other cardiovascular diseases.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2024) Resting heart rate and risk of dementia: a Mendelian randomization study in the international genomics of Alzheimer’s Project and UK Biobank. PeerJ 12:e17073 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17073
date submitted: 2023-09-06
date accepted: 2024-02-18
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xingxing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Yue
  given name: Blake
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Xian
author list: Agent
  family name: Nakai
  given name: Kenta
author list: Agent
  family name: Yan
  given name: Lijing L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17073
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

Exploring the antioxidant potential of chalcogen-indolizines throughout in vitro assays
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are highly reactive molecules produced naturally by the body and by external factors. When these species are generated in excessive amounts, they can lead to oxidative stress, which in turn can cause cellular and tissue damage. This damage is known to contribute to the aging process and is associated with age-related conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the development of compounds with antioxidant potential to assist in the treatment of disorders related to oxidative stress. In this way, compounds containing sulfur (S) and/or selenium (Se) have been considered promising due to the relevant role of these elements in the biosynthesis of antioxidant enzymes and essential proteins with physiological functions. In this context, studies involving heterocyclic nuclei have significantly increased, notably highlighting the indolizine nucleus, given that compounds containing this nucleus have been demonstrating considerable pharmacological properties. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of eight S- and Se-derivatives containing indolizine nucleus and different substituents. The in vitro assays 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) scavenger activity, ferric ion (Fe3+) reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), and protein carbonylation (PC) were used to access the antioxidant profile of the compounds. Our findings demonstrated that all the compounds showed FRAP activity and reduced the levels of TBARS and PC in mouse brains homogenates. Some compounds were also capable of acting as DPPH scavengers. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that eight novel organochalcogen compounds exhibit antioxidant activity.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cleisson Schossler Garcia
creator: Marcia Juciele da Rocha
creator: Marcelo Heinemann Presa
creator: Camila Simões Pires
creator: Evelyn Mianes Besckow
creator: Filipe Penteado
creator: Caroline Signorini Gomes
creator: Eder João Lenardão
creator: Cristiani Folharini Bortolatto
creator: César Augusto Brüning
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17074
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Schossler Garcia et al.
abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are highly reactive molecules produced naturally by the body and by external factors. When these species are generated in excessive amounts, they can lead to oxidative stress, which in turn can cause cellular and tissue damage. This damage is known to contribute to the aging process and is associated with age-related conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the development of compounds with antioxidant potential to assist in the treatment of disorders related to oxidative stress. In this way, compounds containing sulfur (S) and/or selenium (Se) have been considered promising due to the relevant role of these elements in the biosynthesis of antioxidant enzymes and essential proteins with physiological functions. In this context, studies involving heterocyclic nuclei have significantly increased, notably highlighting the indolizine nucleus, given that compounds containing this nucleus have been demonstrating considerable pharmacological properties. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of eight S- and Se-derivatives containing indolizine nucleus and different substituents. The in vitro assays 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) scavenger activity, ferric ion (Fe3+) reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), and protein carbonylation (PC) were used to access the antioxidant profile of the compounds. Our findings demonstrated that all the compounds showed FRAP activity and reduced the levels of TBARS and PC in mouse brains homogenates. Some compounds were also capable of acting as DPPH scavengers. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that eight novel organochalcogen compounds exhibit antioxidant activity.
bibliographic citation: Garcia et al. (2024) Exploring the antioxidant potential of chalcogen-indolizines throughout in vitro assays. PeerJ 12:e17074 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17074
date submitted: 2023-09-26
date accepted: 2024-02-18
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Garcia
  given name: Cleisson Schossler
author list: Agent
  family name: da Rocha
  given name: Marcia Juciele
author list: Agent
  family name: Presa
  given name: Marcelo Heinemann
author list: Agent
  family name: Pires
  given name: Camila Simões
author list: Agent
  family name: Besckow
  given name: Evelyn Mianes
author list: Agent
  family name: Penteado
  given name: Filipe
author list: Agent
  family name: Gomes
  given name: Caroline Signorini
author list: Agent
  family name: Lenardão
  given name: Eder João
author list: Agent
  family name: Bortolatto
  given name: Cristiani Folharini
author list: Agent
  family name: Brüning
  given name: César Augusto
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17074
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: ©2024 Schossler Garcia et al.
attribution name: Schossler Garcia et al.

https://peerj.com/articles/17077
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Epidemiology and classification for canine and feline mammary gland tumors: a histopathological survey of 437 mammary gland tumor biopsies performed in a secondary care hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 2012 to 2019
description: Background Metastatic disease resulting from mammary gland tumors (MGTs) is a known cause of death among dogs and cats. Keys to successful prevention and management strategies involve the accurate recording of diagnostic data. Methods This retrospective study reviewed the epidemiology and classification of canine mammary gland tumors (CMTs) and feline mammary gland tumors (FMTs), as well as the factors including sex, age, and breed related to the occurrence of these tumors. Accordingly, 1,736 tumor biopsy cases were reported from 2012 to 2019 at Chiang Mai University Small Animal Hospital, Thailand, with 1,639 canine tumor biopsy cases and 97 feline tumor biopsy cases. Results The proportion of CMTs was reported at 24.5% (401/1,639) for all canine tumor biopsy cases. Benign and malignant tumors were reported at 14.5% (58/401) and 85.5% (343/401) for all CMT cases, respectively. The mean age of dogs affected by benign CMTs was 9.0 ± 3.0 years, which was significantly lower than for malignant CMTs at 9.9 ± 2.8 years (P = 0.0239). According to histopathological classification, benign mixed tumors and simple carcinoma types were highest among benign and malignant CMT cases, respectively. Moreover, female dogs were at significantly higher risk of developing mammary gland tumors (OR = 45.8, 95% CI [3.9–86.0], P < 0.0001) than male dogs, as well as older dogs (>8 years) (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.2–2.2], P = 0.0001) compared to young ones (≤8 years). The proportion of FMTs was 37.1% (36/97) for all feline tumor biopsy cases. Benign and malignant tumors for all FMTs were reported at 16.7% (6/36) and 83.3% (30/36), respectively. According to histopathological classifications, adenoma and simple carcinoma were present in the highest proportion among benign and malignant FMTs, respectively. Female cats were at a significantly higher risk of developing mammary gland tumors than male cats (OR = 25.7, 95% CI [3.9–272.8], P < 0.0001). Conclusions and clinical importance There was a high…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Wanwisa Srisawat
creator: Kidsadagon Pringproa
creator: Worapat Prachasilchai
creator: Atigan Thongtharb
creator: Nattawooti Sthitmatee
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
subject: Oncology
subject: Pathology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17077
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Srisawat et al.
abstract: Background Metastatic disease resulting from mammary gland tumors (MGTs) is a known cause of death among dogs and cats. Keys to successful prevention and management strategies involve the accurate recording of diagnostic data. Methods This retrospective study reviewed the epidemiology and classification of canine mammary gland tumors (CMTs) and feline mammary gland tumors (FMTs), as well as the factors including sex, age, and breed related to the occurrence of these tumors. Accordingly, 1,736 tumor biopsy cases were reported from 2012 to 2019 at Chiang Mai University Small Animal Hospital, Thailand, with 1,639 canine tumor biopsy cases and 97 feline tumor biopsy cases. Results The proportion of CMTs was reported at 24.5% (401/1,639) for all canine tumor biopsy cases. Benign and malignant tumors were reported at 14.5% (58/401) and 85.5% (343/401) for all CMT cases, respectively. The mean age of dogs affected by benign CMTs was 9.0 ± 3.0 years, which was significantly lower than for malignant CMTs at 9.9 ± 2.8 years (P = 0.0239). According to histopathological classification, benign mixed tumors and simple carcinoma types were highest among benign and malignant CMT cases, respectively. Moreover, female dogs were at significantly higher risk of developing mammary gland tumors (OR = 45.8, 95% CI [3.9–86.0], P < 0.0001) than male dogs, as well as older dogs (>8 years) (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.2–2.2], P = 0.0001) compared to young ones (≤8 years). The proportion of FMTs was 37.1% (36/97) for all feline tumor biopsy cases. Benign and malignant tumors for all FMTs were reported at 16.7% (6/36) and 83.3% (30/36), respectively. According to histopathological classifications, adenoma and simple carcinoma were present in the highest proportion among benign and malignant FMTs, respectively. Female cats were at a significantly higher risk of developing mammary gland tumors than male cats (OR = 25.7, 95% CI [3.9–272.8], P < 0.0001). Conclusions and clinical importance There was a high…
bibliographic citation: Srisawat et al. (2024) Epidemiology and classification for canine and feline mammary gland tumors: a histopathological survey of 437 mammary gland tumor biopsies performed in a secondary care hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 2012 to 2019. PeerJ 12:e17077 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17077
date submitted: 2022-08-19
date accepted: 2024-02-19
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Srisawat
  given name: Wanwisa
author list: Agent
  family name: Pringproa
  given name: Kidsadagon
author list: Agent
  family name: Prachasilchai
  given name: Worapat
author list: Agent
  family name: Thongtharb
  given name: Atigan
author list: Agent
  family name: Sthitmatee
  given name: Nattawooti
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17077
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: ©2024 Srisawat et al.
attribution name: Srisawat et al.

The role of temperature on the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Circadian rhythms in honey bees are involved in various processes that impact colony survival. For example, young nurses take care of the brood constantly throughout the day and lack circadian rhythms. At the same time, foragers use the circadian clock to remember and predict food availability in subsequent days. Previous studies exploring the ontogeny of circadian rhythms of workers showed that the onset of rhythms is faster in the colony environment (~2 days) than if workers were immediately isolated after eclosion (7–9 days). However, which specific environmental factors influenced the early development of worker circadian rhythms remained unknown. We hypothesized that brood nest temperature plays a key role in the development of circadian rhythmicity in young workers. Our results show that young workers kept at brood nest-like temperatures (33–35 °C) in the laboratory develop circadian rhythms faster and in greater proportion than bees kept at lower temperatures (24–26 °C). In addition, we examined if the effect of colony temperature during the first 48 h after emergence is sufficient to increase the rate and proportion of development of circadian rhythmicity. We observed that twice as many individuals exposed to 35 °C during the first 48 h developed circadian rhythms compared to individuals kept at 25 °C, suggesting a critical developmental period where brood nest temperatures are important for the development of the circadian system. Together, our findings show that temperature, which is socially regulated inside the hive, is a key factor that influences the ontogeny of circadian rhythmicity of workers.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Manuel A. Giannoni-Guzmán
creator: Eddie Perez Claudio
creator: Janpierre Aleman-Rios
creator: Gabriel Diaz Hernandez
creator: Melina Perez Torres
creator: Alexander Melendez Moreno
creator: Darimar Loubriel
creator: Darrell Moore
creator: Tugrul Giray
creator: Jose L. Agosto-Rivera
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Entomology
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17086
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Giannoni Guzmán et al.
abstract: Circadian rhythms in honey bees are involved in various processes that impact colony survival. For example, young nurses take care of the brood constantly throughout the day and lack circadian rhythms. At the same time, foragers use the circadian clock to remember and predict food availability in subsequent days. Previous studies exploring the ontogeny of circadian rhythms of workers showed that the onset of rhythms is faster in the colony environment (~2 days) than if workers were immediately isolated after eclosion (7–9 days). However, which specific environmental factors influenced the early development of worker circadian rhythms remained unknown. We hypothesized that brood nest temperature plays a key role in the development of circadian rhythmicity in young workers. Our results show that young workers kept at brood nest-like temperatures (33–35 °C) in the laboratory develop circadian rhythms faster and in greater proportion than bees kept at lower temperatures (24–26 °C). In addition, we examined if the effect of colony temperature during the first 48 h after emergence is sufficient to increase the rate and proportion of development of circadian rhythmicity. We observed that twice as many individuals exposed to 35 °C during the first 48 h developed circadian rhythms compared to individuals kept at 25 °C, suggesting a critical developmental period where brood nest temperatures are important for the development of the circadian system. Together, our findings show that temperature, which is socially regulated inside the hive, is a key factor that influences the ontogeny of circadian rhythmicity of workers.
bibliographic citation: Giannoni-Guzmán et al. (2024) The role of temperature on the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers. PeerJ 12:e17086 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17086
date submitted: 2023-09-19
date accepted: 2024-02-20
issued: 2024-03-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Giannoni-Guzmán
  given name: Manuel A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Perez Claudio
  given name: Eddie
author list: Agent
  family name: Aleman-Rios
  given name: Janpierre
author list: Agent
  family name: Diaz Hernandez
  given name: Gabriel
author list: Agent
  family name: Perez Torres
  given name: Melina
author list: Agent
  family name: Melendez Moreno
  given name: Alexander
author list: Agent
  family name: Loubriel
  given name: Darimar
author list: Agent
  family name: Moore
  given name: Darrell
author list: Agent
  family name: Giray
  given name: Tugrul
author list: Agent
  family name: Agosto-Rivera
  given name: Jose L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17086
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-03-15
copyright: © 2024 Giannoni-Guzmán et al.
attribution name: Giannoni Guzmán et al.

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