PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Exotic and native plants play equally important roles in supporting and structuring plant-hummingbird networks within urban green spaces
items: Distribution of rhizosphere fungi of Kobresia humilis on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
items: Activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles in planktonic and biofilm-associated Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
items: A novel peroxisome-related gene signature predicts clinical prognosis and is associated with immune microenvironment in low-grade glioma
items: The pomegranate-derived peptide Pug-4 alleviates nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced inflammation by suppressing NF-kB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation
items: Oral bacteriophages: metagenomic clues to interpret microbiomes
items: Dose-response association of sleep duration with anxiety symptoms in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus
items: The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs
items: The P2 nucleic acid binding protein of Sugarcane bacilliform virus is a viral pathogenic factor
items: Hormonal and psychological influences on performance anxiety in adolescent female volleyball players: a multi-approach study

Exotic and native plants play equally important roles in supporting and structuring plant-hummingbird networks within urban green spaces
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Urban gardens, despite their transformed nature, serve as invaluable microcosms for a quantitative examination of floral resource provision to urban pollinators, considering the plant’s origin. Thus, knowledge has increased, emphasizing the importance of these green areas for hosting and conserving pollinator communities. However, there is a significant knowledge gap concerning the changing availability of these native and exotic floral resources over time and their impact on structuring interaction networks with specific pollinators. Methods Over a year-long period, monthly surveys were conducted to record both native and exotic plant species visited by hummingbirds in an urban garden at Tlaxcala, Mexico. Flower visits were recorded, and the total flowers on each plant visited were tallied. Additionally, all observed hummingbirds were recorded during the transect walks, regardless of plant visits, to determine hummingbird abundance. The interactions were summarized using matrices, and network descriptors like connectance, specializacion, nestedness, and modularity were computed. Plant and hummingbird species in the core and periphery of the network were also identified. Lastly, simulations were performed to assess the network’s resilience to the extinction of highly connected native and exotic plant species, including those previously situated in the network’s core. Results We recorded 4,674 interactions between 28 plant species, and eight hummingbird species. The majority of plants showed an ornithophilic syndrome, with 20 species considered exotic. Despite asynchronous flowering, there was overlap observed across different plant species throughout the year. Exotic plants like Jacaranda mimosifolia and Nicotiana glauca produced more flowers annually than native species. The abundance of hummingbirds varied throughout the study, with Saucerottia berillyna being the most abundant species. The plant-hummingbird network displayed high connectance, indicatin…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Monserrat Sánchez Sánchez
creator: Carlos Lara
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16996
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Sánchez Sánchez and Lara
abstract: Background Urban gardens, despite their transformed nature, serve as invaluable microcosms for a quantitative examination of floral resource provision to urban pollinators, considering the plant’s origin. Thus, knowledge has increased, emphasizing the importance of these green areas for hosting and conserving pollinator communities. However, there is a significant knowledge gap concerning the changing availability of these native and exotic floral resources over time and their impact on structuring interaction networks with specific pollinators. Methods Over a year-long period, monthly surveys were conducted to record both native and exotic plant species visited by hummingbirds in an urban garden at Tlaxcala, Mexico. Flower visits were recorded, and the total flowers on each plant visited were tallied. Additionally, all observed hummingbirds were recorded during the transect walks, regardless of plant visits, to determine hummingbird abundance. The interactions were summarized using matrices, and network descriptors like connectance, specializacion, nestedness, and modularity were computed. Plant and hummingbird species in the core and periphery of the network were also identified. Lastly, simulations were performed to assess the network’s resilience to the extinction of highly connected native and exotic plant species, including those previously situated in the network’s core. Results We recorded 4,674 interactions between 28 plant species, and eight hummingbird species. The majority of plants showed an ornithophilic syndrome, with 20 species considered exotic. Despite asynchronous flowering, there was overlap observed across different plant species throughout the year. Exotic plants like Jacaranda mimosifolia and Nicotiana glauca produced more flowers annually than native species. The abundance of hummingbirds varied throughout the study, with Saucerottia berillyna being the most abundant species. The plant-hummingbird network displayed high connectance, indicatin…
bibliographic citation: Sánchez Sánchez et al. (2024) Exotic and native plants play equally important roles in supporting and structuring plant-hummingbird networks within urban green spaces. PeerJ 12:e16996 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16996
date submitted: 2023-10-25
date accepted: 2024-02-02
issued: 2024-02-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sánchez Sánchez
  given name: Monserrat
author list: Agent
  family name: Lara
  given name: Carlos
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16996
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-21
copyright: © 2024 Sánchez Sánchez and Lara
attribution name: Sánchez Sánchez and Lara

Distribution of rhizosphere fungi of Kobresia humilis on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Kobresia humilis is a major species in the alpine meadow communities of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP); it plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of these meadows. Nevertheless, little is known about the rhizosphere fungi associated with K. humilis on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. In this study, we used Illumina Miseq to investigate the fungal diversity, community structure, and ecological types in the root and rhizosphere soil of K. humilis across eight areas on the QTP and analyzed the correlation between rhizosphere fungi of K. humilis and environmental factors. A total of 19,423 and 25,101 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from the roots and rhizosphere soil of K. humilis. These were classified into seven phyla, 25 classes, 68 orders, 138 families, and 316 genera in the roots, and nine phyla, 31 classes, 76 orders, 152 families, and 407 genera in the rhizosphere soil. There were 435 and 415 core OTUs identified in root and rhizosphere soil, respectively, which were categorized into 68 and 59 genera, respectively, with 25 shared genera. Among them, the genera with a relative abundance >1% included Mortierella, Microscypha, Floccularia, Cistella, Gibberella, and Pilidium. Compared with the rhizosphere soil, the roots showed five differing fungal community characteristics, as well as differences in ecological type, and in the main influencing environmental factors. First, the diversity, abundance, and total number of OTUs in the rhizosphere soil of K. humilis were higher than for the endophytic fungi in the roots by 11.85%, 9.85%, and 22.62%, respectively. The composition and diversity of fungal communities also differed between the eight areas. Second, although saprotroph-symbiotrophs were the main ecological types in both roots and rhizosphere soil; there were 62.62% fewer pathotrophs in roots compared to the rhizosphere soil. Thirdly, at the higher altitude sites (3,900–4,410 m), the proportion of pathotroph fungi in K. humilis w…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jing Guo
creator: Zhanling Xie
creator: Qing Meng
creator: Hongyan Xu
creator: Qingqing Peng
creator: Bao Wang
creator: Deyu Dong
creator: Jiabao Yang
creator: Shunbin Jia
subject: Ecology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16620
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Guo et al.
abstract: Kobresia humilis is a major species in the alpine meadow communities of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP); it plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of these meadows. Nevertheless, little is known about the rhizosphere fungi associated with K. humilis on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. In this study, we used Illumina Miseq to investigate the fungal diversity, community structure, and ecological types in the root and rhizosphere soil of K. humilis across eight areas on the QTP and analyzed the correlation between rhizosphere fungi of K. humilis and environmental factors. A total of 19,423 and 25,101 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from the roots and rhizosphere soil of K. humilis. These were classified into seven phyla, 25 classes, 68 orders, 138 families, and 316 genera in the roots, and nine phyla, 31 classes, 76 orders, 152 families, and 407 genera in the rhizosphere soil. There were 435 and 415 core OTUs identified in root and rhizosphere soil, respectively, which were categorized into 68 and 59 genera, respectively, with 25 shared genera. Among them, the genera with a relative abundance >1% included Mortierella, Microscypha, Floccularia, Cistella, Gibberella, and Pilidium. Compared with the rhizosphere soil, the roots showed five differing fungal community characteristics, as well as differences in ecological type, and in the main influencing environmental factors. First, the diversity, abundance, and total number of OTUs in the rhizosphere soil of K. humilis were higher than for the endophytic fungi in the roots by 11.85%, 9.85%, and 22.62%, respectively. The composition and diversity of fungal communities also differed between the eight areas. Second, although saprotroph-symbiotrophs were the main ecological types in both roots and rhizosphere soil; there were 62.62% fewer pathotrophs in roots compared to the rhizosphere soil. Thirdly, at the higher altitude sites (3,900–4,410 m), the proportion of pathotroph fungi in K. humilis w…
bibliographic citation: Guo et al. (2024) Distribution of rhizosphere fungi of Kobresia humilis on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. PeerJ 12:e16620 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16620
date submitted: 2023-05-23
date accepted: 2023-11-16
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Zhanling
author list: Agent
  family name: Meng
  given name: Qing
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Hongyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Qingqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Bao
author list: Agent
  family name: Dong
  given name: Deyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Jiabao
author list: Agent
  family name: Jia
  given name: Shunbin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16620
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: © 2024 Guo et al.
attribution name: Guo et al.

Activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles in planktonic and biofilm-associated Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a gram-positive bacterium and is the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CL) in small ruminants. This disease is characterized by the development of encapsulated granulomas in visceral and superficial lymph nodes, and its clinical treatment is refractory to antibiotic therapy. An important virulence factor of the Corynebacterium genus is the ability to produce biofilm; however, little is known about the characteristics of the biofilm produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and its resistance to antimicrobials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are considered as promising antimicrobial agents, and are known to have several advantages, such as a broad-spectrum activity, low resistance induction potential, and antibiofilm activity. Therefore, we evaluate herein the activity of AgNPs in C. pseudotuberculosis, through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), antibiofilm activity, and visualization of AgNP-treated and AgNP-untreated biofilm through scanning electron microscopy. The AgNPs were able to completely inhibit bacterial growth and inactivate C. pseudotuberculosis at concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 0.312 mg/mL. The AgNPs reduced the formation of biofilm in reference strains and clinical isolates of C. pseudotuberculosis, with interference values greater than 80% at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, controlling the change between the planktonic and biofilm-associated forms, and preventing fixation and colonization. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a significant disruptive activity of AgNP on the consolidated biofilms. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of AgNPs as an effective therapeutic agent against CL.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Laerte Marlon Santos
creator: Daniela Méria Rodrigues
creator: Bianca Vilas Boas Alves
creator: Mauricio Alcântara Kalil
creator: Vasco Azevedo
creator: Debmalya Barh
creator: Roberto Meyer
creator: Nelson Duran
creator: Ljubica Tasic
creator: Ricardo Wagner Portela
subject: Microbiology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16751
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Santos et al.
abstract: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a gram-positive bacterium and is the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CL) in small ruminants. This disease is characterized by the development of encapsulated granulomas in visceral and superficial lymph nodes, and its clinical treatment is refractory to antibiotic therapy. An important virulence factor of the Corynebacterium genus is the ability to produce biofilm; however, little is known about the characteristics of the biofilm produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and its resistance to antimicrobials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are considered as promising antimicrobial agents, and are known to have several advantages, such as a broad-spectrum activity, low resistance induction potential, and antibiofilm activity. Therefore, we evaluate herein the activity of AgNPs in C. pseudotuberculosis, through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), antibiofilm activity, and visualization of AgNP-treated and AgNP-untreated biofilm through scanning electron microscopy. The AgNPs were able to completely inhibit bacterial growth and inactivate C. pseudotuberculosis at concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 0.312 mg/mL. The AgNPs reduced the formation of biofilm in reference strains and clinical isolates of C. pseudotuberculosis, with interference values greater than 80% at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, controlling the change between the planktonic and biofilm-associated forms, and preventing fixation and colonization. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a significant disruptive activity of AgNP on the consolidated biofilms. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of AgNPs as an effective therapeutic agent against CL.
bibliographic citation: Santos et al. (2024) Activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles in planktonic and biofilm-associated Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. PeerJ 12:e16751 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16751
date submitted: 2023-09-11
date accepted: 2023-12-13
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Santos
  given name: Laerte Marlon
author list: Agent
  family name: Rodrigues
  given name: Daniela Méria
author list: Agent
  family name: Alves
  given name: Bianca Vilas Boas
author list: Agent
  family name: Kalil
  given name: Mauricio Alcântara
author list: Agent
  family name: Azevedo
  given name: Vasco
author list: Agent
  family name: Barh
  given name: Debmalya
author list: Agent
  family name: Meyer
  given name: Roberto
author list: Agent
  family name: Duran
  given name: Nelson
author list: Agent
  family name: Tasic
  given name: Ljubica
author list: Agent
  family name: Portela
  given name: Ricardo Wagner
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16751
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: ©2024 Santos et al.
attribution name: Santos et al.

A novel peroxisome-related gene signature predicts clinical prognosis and is associated with immune microenvironment in low-grade glioma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Low-grade glioma (LGG), a common primary tumor, mainly originates from astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Increasing evidence has shown that peroxisomes function in the regulation of tumorigenesis and development of cancer. However, the prognostic value of peroxisome-related genes (PRGs) in LGG has not been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a prognostic risk model for LGG patients based on the expression profiles of peroxisome-related genes. Our study mainly concentrated on developing a peroxisome-related gene signature for overall survival (OS) prediction in LGG patients. First, according to these peroxisome-related genes, all LGG patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database could be divided into two subtypes. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to find prognostic peroxisome-related genes in TCGA_LGG dataset, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis was employed to establish a 14-gene signature. The risk score based on the signature was positively associated with unfavorable prognosis. Then, multivariate Cox regression incorporating additional clinical characteristics showed that the 14-gene signature was an independent predictor of LGG. Time-dependent ROC curves revealed good performance of this prognostic signature in LGG patients. The performance about predicting OS of LGG was validated using the GSE107850 dataset derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Furethermore, we constructed a nomogram model based on the gene signature and age, which showed a better prognostic power. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and phagosome were enriched and that the immune status was decreased in the high-risk group. Finally, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) were used to detect cell proliferation of U251 and A172 cells. Inhibition of ATAD1 (ATPase family AAA domain-containing 1) and ACBD5 (Acyl-CoA binding-doma…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Dandan Gao
creator: Qiangyi Zhou
creator: Dianqi Hou
creator: Xiaoqing Zhang
creator: Yiqin Ge
creator: Qingwei Zhu
creator: Jian Yin
creator: Xiangqian Qi
creator: Yaohua Liu
creator: Meiqing Lou
creator: Li Zhou
creator: Yunke Bi
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Cell Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16874
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gao et al.
abstract: Low-grade glioma (LGG), a common primary tumor, mainly originates from astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Increasing evidence has shown that peroxisomes function in the regulation of tumorigenesis and development of cancer. However, the prognostic value of peroxisome-related genes (PRGs) in LGG has not been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a prognostic risk model for LGG patients based on the expression profiles of peroxisome-related genes. Our study mainly concentrated on developing a peroxisome-related gene signature for overall survival (OS) prediction in LGG patients. First, according to these peroxisome-related genes, all LGG patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database could be divided into two subtypes. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to find prognostic peroxisome-related genes in TCGA_LGG dataset, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis was employed to establish a 14-gene signature. The risk score based on the signature was positively associated with unfavorable prognosis. Then, multivariate Cox regression incorporating additional clinical characteristics showed that the 14-gene signature was an independent predictor of LGG. Time-dependent ROC curves revealed good performance of this prognostic signature in LGG patients. The performance about predicting OS of LGG was validated using the GSE107850 dataset derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Furethermore, we constructed a nomogram model based on the gene signature and age, which showed a better prognostic power. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and phagosome were enriched and that the immune status was decreased in the high-risk group. Finally, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) were used to detect cell proliferation of U251 and A172 cells. Inhibition of ATAD1 (ATPase family AAA domain-containing 1) and ACBD5 (Acyl-CoA binding-doma…
bibliographic citation: Gao et al. (2024) A novel peroxisome-related gene signature predicts clinical prognosis and is associated with immune microenvironment in low-grade glioma. PeerJ 12:e16874 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16874
date submitted: 2023-06-22
date accepted: 2024-01-11
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Dandan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Qiangyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Dianqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Xiaoqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Ge
  given name: Yiqin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Qingwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Qi
  given name: Xiangqian
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yaohua
author list: Agent
  family name: Lou
  given name: Meiqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Bi
  given name: Yunke
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16874
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: ©2024 Gao et al.
attribution name: Gao et al.

The pomegranate-derived peptide Pug-4 alleviates nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced inflammation by suppressing NF-kB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The respiratory pathogen nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common cause of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), of which an excessive inflammatory response is a hallmark. With the limited success of current medicines there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutics that are both safe and effective. In this study, we explored the regulatory potential of pomegranate-derived peptides Pug-1, Pug-2, Pug-3, and Pug-4 on NTHi-induced inflammation. Our results clearly showed that to varying degrees the Pug peptides inhibited NTHi-induced production of IL-1β, a pivotal cytokine in COPD, and showed that these effects were not related to cytotoxicity. Pug-4 peptide exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity. This was demonstrated in all studied cell types including murine (RAW264.7) and human (differentiated THP-1) macrophages as well as human lung epithelial cells (A549). Substantial reduction by Pug-4 of TNF-α, NO and PGE2 in NTHi-infected A549 cells was also observed. In addition, Pug-4 strongly inhibited the expression of nuclear-NF-κB p65 protein and the NF-κB target genes (determined by IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression) in NTHi-infected A549 cells. Pug-4 suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β proteins and inhibited NTHi-mediated cleavage of caspase-1 and mature IL-1β. These results demonstrated that Pug-4 inhibited NTHi-induced inflammation through the NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our findings herein highlight the significant anti-inflammatory activity of Pug-4, a newly identified peptide from pomegranate, against NTHi-induced inflammation. We therefore strongly suggest the potential of the Pug-4 peptide as an anti-inflammatory medicine candidate for treatment of NTHi-mediated inflammation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pornpimon Jantaruk
creator: Sittiruk Roytrakul
creator: Anchalee Sistayanarain
creator: Duangkamol Kunthalert
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16938
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Jantaruk et al.
abstract: The respiratory pathogen nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common cause of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), of which an excessive inflammatory response is a hallmark. With the limited success of current medicines there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutics that are both safe and effective. In this study, we explored the regulatory potential of pomegranate-derived peptides Pug-1, Pug-2, Pug-3, and Pug-4 on NTHi-induced inflammation. Our results clearly showed that to varying degrees the Pug peptides inhibited NTHi-induced production of IL-1β, a pivotal cytokine in COPD, and showed that these effects were not related to cytotoxicity. Pug-4 peptide exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity. This was demonstrated in all studied cell types including murine (RAW264.7) and human (differentiated THP-1) macrophages as well as human lung epithelial cells (A549). Substantial reduction by Pug-4 of TNF-α, NO and PGE2 in NTHi-infected A549 cells was also observed. In addition, Pug-4 strongly inhibited the expression of nuclear-NF-κB p65 protein and the NF-κB target genes (determined by IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression) in NTHi-infected A549 cells. Pug-4 suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β proteins and inhibited NTHi-mediated cleavage of caspase-1 and mature IL-1β. These results demonstrated that Pug-4 inhibited NTHi-induced inflammation through the NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our findings herein highlight the significant anti-inflammatory activity of Pug-4, a newly identified peptide from pomegranate, against NTHi-induced inflammation. We therefore strongly suggest the potential of the Pug-4 peptide as an anti-inflammatory medicine candidate for treatment of NTHi-mediated inflammation.
bibliographic citation: Jantaruk et al. (2024) The pomegranate-derived peptide Pug-4 alleviates nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced inflammation by suppressing NF-kB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PeerJ 12:e16938 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16938
date submitted: 2023-06-12
date accepted: 2024-01-23
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jantaruk
  given name: Pornpimon
author list: Agent
  family name: Roytrakul
  given name: Sittiruk
author list: Agent
  family name: Sistayanarain
  given name: Anchalee
author list: Agent
  family name: Kunthalert
  given name: Duangkamol
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16938
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: ©2024 Jantaruk et al.
attribution name: Jantaruk et al.

Oral bacteriophages: metagenomic clues to interpret microbiomes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bacteriophages are bacterial viruses that are distributed throughout the environment. Lytic phages and prophages in saliva, oral mucosa, and dental plaque interact with the oral microbiota and can change biofilm formation. The interactions between phages and bacteria can be considered a portion of oral metagenomics. The metagenomic profile of the oral microbiome indicates various bacteria. Indeed, there are various phages against these bacteria in the oral cavity. However, some other phages, like phages against Absconditabacteria, Chlamydiae, or Chloroflexi, have not been identified in the oral cavity. This review gives an overview of oral bacteriophage and used for metagenomics. Metagenomics of these phages deals with multi-drug-resistant bacterial plaques (biofilms) in oral cavities and oral infection. Hence, dentists and pharmacologists should know this metagenomic profile to cope with predental and dental infectious diseases.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maryam Banar
creator: Dinesh Rokaya
creator: Reza Azizian
creator: Zohaib Khurshid
creator: Morteza Banakar
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Parasitology
subject: Dentistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16947
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Banar et al.
abstract: Bacteriophages are bacterial viruses that are distributed throughout the environment. Lytic phages and prophages in saliva, oral mucosa, and dental plaque interact with the oral microbiota and can change biofilm formation. The interactions between phages and bacteria can be considered a portion of oral metagenomics. The metagenomic profile of the oral microbiome indicates various bacteria. Indeed, there are various phages against these bacteria in the oral cavity. However, some other phages, like phages against Absconditabacteria, Chlamydiae, or Chloroflexi, have not been identified in the oral cavity. This review gives an overview of oral bacteriophage and used for metagenomics. Metagenomics of these phages deals with multi-drug-resistant bacterial plaques (biofilms) in oral cavities and oral infection. Hence, dentists and pharmacologists should know this metagenomic profile to cope with predental and dental infectious diseases.
bibliographic citation: Banar et al. (2024) Oral bacteriophages: metagenomic clues to interpret microbiomes. PeerJ 12:e16947 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16947
date submitted: 2023-11-14
date accepted: 2024-01-24
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Banar
  given name: Maryam
author list: Agent
  family name: Rokaya
  given name: Dinesh
author list: Agent
  family name: Azizian
  given name: Reza
author list: Agent
  family name: Khurshid
  given name: Zohaib
author list: Agent
  family name: Banakar
  given name: Morteza
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16947
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: ©2024 Banar et al.
attribution name: Banar et al.

Dose-response association of sleep duration with anxiety symptoms in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objectives Anxiety is a disorder with a high prevalence in T2DM, and some studies have found that sleep problems can cause anxiety. Therefore, this study explored the independent effects of night sleep duration on anxiety symptoms in T2DM patients. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires and taking into account several socio-demographic, lifestyle and health related characteristics. The 1,611 participants enrolled in our study. Anxiety was assessed by the Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). A multivariate logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline with anxiety symptoms as the dependent variable were fitted. Results Of the T2DM patients in this study, 891 (55.31%) were male, 720 (44.69%) were female and 207 (12.85%) had anxiety symptoms. Controlling for potential confounders and intermediates, sleep duration >8 h relative to intermediate sleep (7–8 h) was significantly associated with anxiety syndrome (OR: 1.46, 95% CI [1.06–2.02], p = 0.02) and a J-shaped association was found between sleep duration and anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was higher in the male group (>8 h/night) compared to the female. Study participants under the age of 50 who had a shorter sleep duration had a higher prevalence of anxiety compared to those between the ages of 50 and 60. Conclusion Among Chinese T2DM patients, there is a dose-response relationship between night sleep duration and anxiety, these findings may propose important public health implications for diabetes management.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Wenlu Shang
creator: Yan Li
creator: Yanli Sun
creator: Ruiping Pan
creator: Yuqi Dang
creator: Jing Wen
creator: Liqun Wang
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16954
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Shang et al.
abstract: Objectives Anxiety is a disorder with a high prevalence in T2DM, and some studies have found that sleep problems can cause anxiety. Therefore, this study explored the independent effects of night sleep duration on anxiety symptoms in T2DM patients. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires and taking into account several socio-demographic, lifestyle and health related characteristics. The 1,611 participants enrolled in our study. Anxiety was assessed by the Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). A multivariate logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline with anxiety symptoms as the dependent variable were fitted. Results Of the T2DM patients in this study, 891 (55.31%) were male, 720 (44.69%) were female and 207 (12.85%) had anxiety symptoms. Controlling for potential confounders and intermediates, sleep duration >8 h relative to intermediate sleep (7–8 h) was significantly associated with anxiety syndrome (OR: 1.46, 95% CI [1.06–2.02], p = 0.02) and a J-shaped association was found between sleep duration and anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was higher in the male group (>8 h/night) compared to the female. Study participants under the age of 50 who had a shorter sleep duration had a higher prevalence of anxiety compared to those between the ages of 50 and 60. Conclusion Among Chinese T2DM patients, there is a dose-response relationship between night sleep duration and anxiety, these findings may propose important public health implications for diabetes management.
bibliographic citation: Shang et al. (2024) Dose-response association of sleep duration with anxiety symptoms in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus. PeerJ 12:e16954 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16954
date submitted: 2023-09-29
date accepted: 2024-01-25
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shang
  given name: Wenlu
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Yanli
author list: Agent
  family name: Pan
  given name: Ruiping
author list: Agent
  family name: Dang
  given name: Yuqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Liqun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16954
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: ©2024 Shang et al.
attribution name: Shang et al.

The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hormone assessment is typically recommended for awake, unsedated dogs. However, one of the most commonly asked questions from veterinary practitioners to the endocrinology laboratory is how sedation impacts cortisol concentrations and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone are common sedatives for dogs, but their impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone on serum cortisol concentrations. Methods Twelve healthy beagles were included in a prospective, randomized, four-period crossover design study with a 7-day washout. ACTH stimulation test results were determined after saline (0.5 mL IV), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg IV), dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg IV), and trazodone (3–5 mg/kg PO) administration. Results Compared to saline, butorphanol increased basal (median 11.75 µg/dL (range 2.50–23.00) (324.13 nmol/L; range 68.97–634.48) vs 1.27 µg/dL (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93); P < 0.0001) and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (17.05 µg/dL (12.40–26.00) (470.34 nmol/L; 342.07–717.24) vs 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.90) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.96–521.38); P ≤ 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine and trazodone did not significantly affect basal (1.55 µg/dL (range 0.75–1.55) (42.76 nmol/L; 20.69–42.76); P = 0.33 and 0.79 µg/dL (range 0.69–1.89) (21.79 nmol/L; 19.03–52.14); P = 0.13, respectively, vs saline 1.27 (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93)) or post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (14.35 µg/dL (range 10.70–18.00) (395.86 nmol/L; 295.17–496.55); (P = 0.98 and 12.90 µg/dL (range 8.94–17.40) (355.86 nmol/L; 246.62–480); P = 0.65), respectively, vs saline 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.60) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.86–513.10). Conclusion Butorphanol administration should be avoided prior to ACTH stimulation testing in dogs. Further evaluation of dexmedetomidine and trazodone’s effects on adrenocortical hormone t…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Adam Hunt
creator: Shelly Olin
creator: Jacqueline C. Whittemore
creator: Alejandro Esteller-Vico
creator: Cary Springer
creator: Luca Giori
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Internal Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16955
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Hunt et al.
abstract: Background Hormone assessment is typically recommended for awake, unsedated dogs. However, one of the most commonly asked questions from veterinary practitioners to the endocrinology laboratory is how sedation impacts cortisol concentrations and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone are common sedatives for dogs, but their impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, and trazodone on serum cortisol concentrations. Methods Twelve healthy beagles were included in a prospective, randomized, four-period crossover design study with a 7-day washout. ACTH stimulation test results were determined after saline (0.5 mL IV), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg IV), dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg IV), and trazodone (3–5 mg/kg PO) administration. Results Compared to saline, butorphanol increased basal (median 11.75 µg/dL (range 2.50–23.00) (324.13 nmol/L; range 68.97–634.48) vs 1.27 µg/dL (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93); P < 0.0001) and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (17.05 µg/dL (12.40–26.00) (470.34 nmol/L; 342.07–717.24) vs 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.90) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.96–521.38); P ≤ 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine and trazodone did not significantly affect basal (1.55 µg/dL (range 0.75–1.55) (42.76 nmol/L; 20.69–42.76); P = 0.33 and 0.79 µg/dL (range 0.69–1.89) (21.79 nmol/L; 19.03–52.14); P = 0.13, respectively, vs saline 1.27 (0.74–2.10) (35.03 nmol/L; 20.41–57.93)) or post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (14.35 µg/dL (range 10.70–18.00) (395.86 nmol/L; 295.17–496.55); (P = 0.98 and 12.90 µg/dL (range 8.94–17.40) (355.86 nmol/L; 246.62–480); P = 0.65), respectively, vs saline 13.75 µg/dL (10.00–18.60) (379.31 nmol/L; 275.86–513.10). Conclusion Butorphanol administration should be avoided prior to ACTH stimulation testing in dogs. Further evaluation of dexmedetomidine and trazodone’s effects on adrenocortical hormone t…
bibliographic citation: Hunt et al. (2024) The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs. PeerJ 12:e16955 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16955
date submitted: 2023-11-28
date accepted: 2024-01-25
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hunt
  given name: Adam
author list: Agent
  family name: Olin
  given name: Shelly
author list: Agent
  family name: Whittemore
  given name: Jacqueline C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Esteller-Vico
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Springer
  given name: Cary
author list: Agent
  family name: Giori
  given name: Luca
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16955
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: © 2024 Hunt et al.
attribution name: Hunt et al.

The P2 nucleic acid binding protein of Sugarcane bacilliform virus is a viral pathogenic factor
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Saccharum spp. is the primary source of sugar and plays a significant role in global renewable bioenergy. Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) is one of the most important viruses infecting sugarcane, causing severe yield losses and quality degradation. It is of great significance to reveal the pathogenesis of SCBV and resistance breeding. However, little is known about the viral virulence factors or RNA silencing suppressors and the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. Methods To systematically investigate the functions of the unknown protein P2 encoded by SCBV ORF2. Phylogenetic analysis was implemented to infer the evolutionary relationship between the P2 of SCBV and other badnaviruses. The precise subcellular localization of P2 was verified in the transient infiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal mesophyll cells and protoplasts using the Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) RNA silencing suppressor activity of P2 was analyzed, respectively. Furthermore, restriction digestion and RT-qPCR assays were conducted to verify the probable mechanism of P2 on repressing DNA methylation. To explore the pathogenicity of P2, a potato virus X-based viral vector was used to heterologously express SCBV P2 and the consequent H2O2 accumulation was detected by the 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining method. Results Phylogenetic analysis shows that SCBV has no obvious sequence similarity and low genetic relatedness to Badnavirus and Tungrovirus representatives. LSCM studies show that P2 is localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Moreover, P2 is shown to be a suppressor of PTGS and TGS, which can not only repress ssRNA-induced gene silencing but also disrupt the host RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway. In addition, P2 can trigger an oxidative burst and cause typical hypersensitive-like response (HLR) necrosis in systemic leaves of N. benthamiana when expressed by…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiongbiao Xu
creator: Yinian Lou
creator: Kaili Liang
creator: Jingying Liu
creator: Zhiyuan Wang
creator: Baoshan Chen
creator: Wenlan Li
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Virology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16982
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Xu et al.
abstract: Background Saccharum spp. is the primary source of sugar and plays a significant role in global renewable bioenergy. Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) is one of the most important viruses infecting sugarcane, causing severe yield losses and quality degradation. It is of great significance to reveal the pathogenesis of SCBV and resistance breeding. However, little is known about the viral virulence factors or RNA silencing suppressors and the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. Methods To systematically investigate the functions of the unknown protein P2 encoded by SCBV ORF2. Phylogenetic analysis was implemented to infer the evolutionary relationship between the P2 of SCBV and other badnaviruses. The precise subcellular localization of P2 was verified in the transient infiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal mesophyll cells and protoplasts using the Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) RNA silencing suppressor activity of P2 was analyzed, respectively. Furthermore, restriction digestion and RT-qPCR assays were conducted to verify the probable mechanism of P2 on repressing DNA methylation. To explore the pathogenicity of P2, a potato virus X-based viral vector was used to heterologously express SCBV P2 and the consequent H2O2 accumulation was detected by the 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining method. Results Phylogenetic analysis shows that SCBV has no obvious sequence similarity and low genetic relatedness to Badnavirus and Tungrovirus representatives. LSCM studies show that P2 is localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Moreover, P2 is shown to be a suppressor of PTGS and TGS, which can not only repress ssRNA-induced gene silencing but also disrupt the host RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway. In addition, P2 can trigger an oxidative burst and cause typical hypersensitive-like response (HLR) necrosis in systemic leaves of N. benthamiana when expressed by…
bibliographic citation: Xu et al. (2024) The P2 nucleic acid binding protein of Sugarcane bacilliform virus is a viral pathogenic factor. PeerJ 12:e16982 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16982
date submitted: 2023-11-24
date accepted: 2024-01-30
issued: 2024-02-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Xiongbiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Lou
  given name: Yinian
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Kaili
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Jingying
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zhiyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Baoshan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Wenlan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16982
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-20
copyright: © 2024 Xu et al.
attribution name: Xu et al.

Hormonal and psychological influences on performance anxiety in adolescent female volleyball players: a multi-approach study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships, stress, and health. This can be influenced by social closeness; this aspect is the closeness towards another individual or a group of individuals such as a sports team. Sports performance anxiety is considered an unpleasant emotional reaction composed of physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This motivates us to learn about the process that can influence the outcome of competition. Hormones and genetics would seem to influence outcome and performance. In this regard, many studies have focused on the exercise response as a function of ovarian hormones and it has been observed that progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in reducing anxiety, and thus stress, in humans and other animals. On the other hand, high cortisol concentrations are known to contribute to increased anxiety levels. However, the salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) enzyme has been suggested as marker of acute stress than cortisol. Genetics also seem to influence anxiety and stress management as in the case of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). Therefore, the study aims to investigate social closeness, as a measure of sports team cohesion that can influence athletes’ performance results, and its ability to influence the secretion of hormones, such as progesterone and cortisol, that affect the management of sports anxiety while also taking into account genetic background during a volleyball match. Methods Twenty-six female volleyball players who volunteered participated in this study (mean ± SD: age, 12.07 ± 0.7 years), and played in the final of the provincial volleyball championship in Palermo. All girls were during the ovarian cycle, in detail between the follicular and early ovulatory phases. Results The results showed a significant decrease in salivary …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Carlo Rossi
creator: Alessandra Amato
creator: Marianna Alesi
creator: Anna Alioto
creator: Gabriella Schiera
creator: Patrik Drid
creator: Giulia Messina
creator: Andrea Pagliaro
creator: Italia Di Liegro
creator: Patrizia Proia
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Medical Genetics
subject: Mental Health
subject: Sports Medicine
subject: Biochemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16617
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Rossi et al.
abstract: Background The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships, stress, and health. This can be influenced by social closeness; this aspect is the closeness towards another individual or a group of individuals such as a sports team. Sports performance anxiety is considered an unpleasant emotional reaction composed of physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This motivates us to learn about the process that can influence the outcome of competition. Hormones and genetics would seem to influence outcome and performance. In this regard, many studies have focused on the exercise response as a function of ovarian hormones and it has been observed that progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in reducing anxiety, and thus stress, in humans and other animals. On the other hand, high cortisol concentrations are known to contribute to increased anxiety levels. However, the salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) enzyme has been suggested as marker of acute stress than cortisol. Genetics also seem to influence anxiety and stress management as in the case of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). Therefore, the study aims to investigate social closeness, as a measure of sports team cohesion that can influence athletes’ performance results, and its ability to influence the secretion of hormones, such as progesterone and cortisol, that affect the management of sports anxiety while also taking into account genetic background during a volleyball match. Methods Twenty-six female volleyball players who volunteered participated in this study (mean ± SD: age, 12.07 ± 0.7 years), and played in the final of the provincial volleyball championship in Palermo. All girls were during the ovarian cycle, in detail between the follicular and early ovulatory phases. Results The results showed a significant decrease in salivary …
bibliographic citation: Rossi et al. (2024) Hormonal and psychological influences on performance anxiety in adolescent female volleyball players: a multi-approach study. PeerJ 12:e16617 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16617
date submitted: 2023-06-02
date accepted: 2023-11-15
issued: 2024-02-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rossi
  given name: Carlo
author list: Agent
  family name: Amato
  given name: Alessandra
author list: Agent
  family name: Alesi
  given name: Marianna
author list: Agent
  family name: Alioto
  given name: Anna
author list: Agent
  family name: Schiera
  given name: Gabriella
author list: Agent
  family name: Drid
  given name: Patrik
author list: Agent
  family name: Messina
  given name: Giulia
author list: Agent
  family name: Pagliaro
  given name: Andrea
author list: Agent
  family name: Di Liegro
  given name: Italia
author list: Agent
  family name: Proia
  given name: Patrizia
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16617
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-02-19
copyright: © 2024 Rossi et al.
attribution name: Rossi et al.

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