PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: The postcranial anatomy of Gorgonops torvus (Synapsida, Gorgonopsia) from the late Permian of South Africa
items: Characterizing the blood microbiota of omnivorous and frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Casanare, eastern Colombia
items: CircRNA: a rising star in leukemia
items: Some structural features of the peptide profile of myelin basic protein-hydrolyzing antibodies in schizophrenic patients
items: Village dogs match pet dogs in reading human facial expressions
items: Development of a circHIPK3-based ceRNA network and identification of mRNA signature in breast cancer patients harboring BRCA mutation
items: Chemical weathering rates and controlling mechanisms of glacial catchments within different climate regimes in the Tibetan Plateau
items: Identification of sterile a-motif domain-containing 9-like as a potential biomarker in patients with cutaneous melanoma
items: The mediating role of attention deficit in relationship between insomnia and social cognition tasks among nurses in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
items: Functionalized nanoparticles crossing the brain–blood barrier to target glioma cells

The postcranial anatomy of Gorgonops torvus (Synapsida, Gorgonopsia) from the late Permian of South Africa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Gorgonopsians are among the most recognizable groups of synapsids from the Permian period and have an extensive but mostly cranial fossil record. By contrast, relatively little is known about their postcranial anatomy. Here, we describe a nearly complete, semi-articulated skeleton of a gorgonopsian (identified as Gorgonops torvus) from the late Permian Endothiodon Assemblage Zone of the South African Karoo Basin and discuss its paleobiological implications. Known gorgonopsian postcrania indicate morphological conservatism in the group, but the skeletal anatomy of Gorgonops does differ from that of other gorgonopsians in some respects, such as in the triangular radiale and short terminal phalanges in the manus, and a weakly developed distinction between pubis and ischium in ventral aspect of the pelvic girdle. Similarities between the specimen described herein and a historically problematic specimen originally referred to “Scymnognathus cf. whaitsi” confirm referral of the latter specimen to Gorgonops. Since descriptions of gorgonopsian postcrania are rare, new interpretations of the lifestyle and ecology of Gorgonopsia can be drawn from our contribution. We conclude that gorgonopsians were likely ambush predators, able to chase their prey over short distances and pin them down with strong forelimbs before using their canines for the kill. This is evidenced by their different fore- and hindlimb morphology; the former stouter and more robust in comparison to the longer, more gracile, back legs. Furthermore, the completeness of the study specimen facilitates calculation of an estimated body mass of approximately 98 kg, similar to that of a modern lioness.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Eva-Maria Bendel
creator: Christian F. Kammerer
creator: Roger M. H. Smith
creator: Jörg Fröbisch
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15378
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Bendel et al.
abstract: Gorgonopsians are among the most recognizable groups of synapsids from the Permian period and have an extensive but mostly cranial fossil record. By contrast, relatively little is known about their postcranial anatomy. Here, we describe a nearly complete, semi-articulated skeleton of a gorgonopsian (identified as Gorgonops torvus) from the late Permian Endothiodon Assemblage Zone of the South African Karoo Basin and discuss its paleobiological implications. Known gorgonopsian postcrania indicate morphological conservatism in the group, but the skeletal anatomy of Gorgonops does differ from that of other gorgonopsians in some respects, such as in the triangular radiale and short terminal phalanges in the manus, and a weakly developed distinction between pubis and ischium in ventral aspect of the pelvic girdle. Similarities between the specimen described herein and a historically problematic specimen originally referred to “Scymnognathus cf. whaitsi” confirm referral of the latter specimen to Gorgonops. Since descriptions of gorgonopsian postcrania are rare, new interpretations of the lifestyle and ecology of Gorgonopsia can be drawn from our contribution. We conclude that gorgonopsians were likely ambush predators, able to chase their prey over short distances and pin them down with strong forelimbs before using their canines for the kill. This is evidenced by their different fore- and hindlimb morphology; the former stouter and more robust in comparison to the longer, more gracile, back legs. Furthermore, the completeness of the study specimen facilitates calculation of an estimated body mass of approximately 98 kg, similar to that of a modern lioness.
bibliographic citation: Bendel et al. (2023) The postcranial anatomy of Gorgonops torvus (Synapsida, Gorgonopsia) from the late Permian of South Africa. PeerJ 11:e15378 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15378
date submitted: 2022-11-23
date accepted: 2023-04-18
issued: 2023-07-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bendel
  given name: Eva-Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Kammerer
  given name: Christian F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Smith
  given name: Roger M. H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fröbisch
  given name: Jörg
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15378
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-07
copyright: © 2023 Bendel et al.
attribution name: Bendel et al.

Characterizing the blood microbiota of omnivorous and frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Casanare, eastern Colombia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bats are known reservoirs of seemingly-innocuous pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa), which are associated with triggering disease in other zoonotic groups. The taxonomic diversity of the bats’ microbiome is likely associated with species-specific phenotypic, metabolic, and immunogenic capacities. To date, few studies have described the diversity of bat blood microbial communities. Then, this study used amplicon-based next generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S-rRNA gene in blood samples from omnivorous (n = 16) and frugivorous (n = 9) bats from the department of Casanare in eastern Colombia. We found the blood microbiota in bats to be composed of, among others, Bartonella and Mycoplasma bacterial genera which are associated with various disease phenotypes in other mammals. Furthermore, our results suggest that the bats’ dietary habits might determine the composition and the persistence of some pathogens over others in their bloodstream. This study is among the first to describe the blood microbiota in bats, to reflect on co-infection rates of multiple pathogens in the same individual, and to consider the influence of diet as a factor affecting the animal’s endogenous microbial community.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nicolas Luna
creator: Marina Muñoz
creator: Adriana Castillo-Castañeda
creator: Carolina Hernandez
creator: Plutarco Urbano
creator: Maryia Shaban
creator: Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi
creator: Juan David Ramírez
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15169
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Luna et al.
abstract: Bats are known reservoirs of seemingly-innocuous pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa), which are associated with triggering disease in other zoonotic groups. The taxonomic diversity of the bats’ microbiome is likely associated with species-specific phenotypic, metabolic, and immunogenic capacities. To date, few studies have described the diversity of bat blood microbial communities. Then, this study used amplicon-based next generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S-rRNA gene in blood samples from omnivorous (n = 16) and frugivorous (n = 9) bats from the department of Casanare in eastern Colombia. We found the blood microbiota in bats to be composed of, among others, Bartonella and Mycoplasma bacterial genera which are associated with various disease phenotypes in other mammals. Furthermore, our results suggest that the bats’ dietary habits might determine the composition and the persistence of some pathogens over others in their bloodstream. This study is among the first to describe the blood microbiota in bats, to reflect on co-infection rates of multiple pathogens in the same individual, and to consider the influence of diet as a factor affecting the animal’s endogenous microbial community.
bibliographic citation: Luna et al. (2023) Characterizing the blood microbiota of omnivorous and frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Casanare, eastern Colombia. PeerJ 11:e15169 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15169
date submitted: 2022-10-17
date accepted: 2023-03-13
issued: 2023-07-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Luna
  given name: Nicolas
author list: Agent
  family name: Muñoz
  given name: Marina
author list: Agent
  family name: Castillo-Castañeda
  given name: Adriana
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernandez
  given name: Carolina
author list: Agent
  family name: Urbano
  given name: Plutarco
author list: Agent
  family name: Shaban
  given name: Maryia
author list: Agent
  family name: Paniz-Mondolfi
  given name: Alberto
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramírez
  given name: Juan David
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15169
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-06
copyright: © 2023 Luna et al.
attribution name: Luna et al.

CircRNA: a rising star in leukemia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Non-coding RNA are a class of RNA that lack the potential to encode proteins. CircRNAs, generated by a post-splicing mechanism, are a newly discovered type of non-coding RNA with multi-functional covalent loop structures. CircRNAs may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Research has shown that circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in various types of human cancers, including leukemia. In this review, we summarize the expression and function of circRNAs and their impact on different types of leukemia. We also illustrate the function of circRNAs on immune modulation and chemoresistance in leukemia and their impact on its diagnosis and prognosis. Herein, we provide an understanding of recent advances in research that highlight the importance of circRNAs in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and autophagy in different types of leukemia. Furthermore, circRNAs make an indispensable difference in the modulation of the immunity and chemoresistance of leukemia. Increasing evidence suggests that circRNAs may play a vital role in the diagnostic and prognostic markers of leukemia because of their prominent properties. More detailed preclinical studies on circRNAs are needed to explore effective ways in which they can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of leukemia in vivo.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qianan Li
creator: Xinxin Ren
creator: Ying Wang
creator: Xiaoru Xin
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Hematology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15577
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Li et al.
abstract: Non-coding RNA are a class of RNA that lack the potential to encode proteins. CircRNAs, generated by a post-splicing mechanism, are a newly discovered type of non-coding RNA with multi-functional covalent loop structures. CircRNAs may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Research has shown that circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in various types of human cancers, including leukemia. In this review, we summarize the expression and function of circRNAs and their impact on different types of leukemia. We also illustrate the function of circRNAs on immune modulation and chemoresistance in leukemia and their impact on its diagnosis and prognosis. Herein, we provide an understanding of recent advances in research that highlight the importance of circRNAs in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and autophagy in different types of leukemia. Furthermore, circRNAs make an indispensable difference in the modulation of the immunity and chemoresistance of leukemia. Increasing evidence suggests that circRNAs may play a vital role in the diagnostic and prognostic markers of leukemia because of their prominent properties. More detailed preclinical studies on circRNAs are needed to explore effective ways in which they can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of leukemia in vivo.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2023) CircRNA: a rising star in leukemia. PeerJ 11:e15577 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15577
date submitted: 2023-01-13
date accepted: 2023-05-25
issued: 2023-07-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Qianan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Xinxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xin
  given name: Xiaoru
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15577
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-06
copyright: ©2023 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

Some structural features of the peptide profile of myelin basic protein-hydrolyzing antibodies in schizophrenic patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The antibodies of schizophrenic patients that hydrolyze myelin basic protein (MBP) have been actively studied recently, but the mechanism of the catalytic properties of immunoglobulin molecules remains unknown. Determination of specific immunoglobulin sequences associated with the high activity of MBP proteolysis will help to understand the mechanisms of abzyme catalysis. In the course of comparative mass spectrometric analysis of IgG peptides from the blood serum of patients with acute schizophrenia and healthy people, 12 sequences were identified, which were found only in antibodies that hydrolyze MBP. These sequences belong to IgG heavy chains and κ- and λ-type light chains, with eight of them belonging to variable domains. The content of peptides from the variable regions of the light chains does not correlate with the proteolytic activity of IgG to MBP in patients with schizophrenia, whereas for two sequences from the variable regions of the heavy chains (FQ(+0.98)GWVTMTR and *LYLQMN(+0.98)SLR), an increase in activity with increasing their concentration. The results suggest that these sequences may be involved in one way or another in MBP hydrolysis.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maria Zavialova
creator: Daria Kamaeva
creator: Laura Kazieva
creator: Vladlen S. Skvortsov
creator: Liudmila Smirnova
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Immunology
subject: Psychiatry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15584
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Zavialova et al.
abstract: The antibodies of schizophrenic patients that hydrolyze myelin basic protein (MBP) have been actively studied recently, but the mechanism of the catalytic properties of immunoglobulin molecules remains unknown. Determination of specific immunoglobulin sequences associated with the high activity of MBP proteolysis will help to understand the mechanisms of abzyme catalysis. In the course of comparative mass spectrometric analysis of IgG peptides from the blood serum of patients with acute schizophrenia and healthy people, 12 sequences were identified, which were found only in antibodies that hydrolyze MBP. These sequences belong to IgG heavy chains and κ- and λ-type light chains, with eight of them belonging to variable domains. The content of peptides from the variable regions of the light chains does not correlate with the proteolytic activity of IgG to MBP in patients with schizophrenia, whereas for two sequences from the variable regions of the heavy chains (FQ(+0.98)GWVTMTR and *LYLQMN(+0.98)SLR), an increase in activity with increasing their concentration. The results suggest that these sequences may be involved in one way or another in MBP hydrolysis.
bibliographic citation: Zavialova et al. (2023) Some structural features of the peptide profile of myelin basic protein-hydrolyzing antibodies in schizophrenic patients. PeerJ 11:e15584 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15584
date submitted: 2023-03-20
date accepted: 2023-05-26
issued: 2023-07-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zavialova
  given name: Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Kamaeva
  given name: Daria
author list: Agent
  family name: Kazieva
  given name: Laura
author list: Agent
  family name: Skvortsov
  given name: Vladlen S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Smirnova
  given name: Liudmila
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15584
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-06
copyright: ©2023 Zavialova et al.
attribution name: Zavialova et al.

Village dogs match pet dogs in reading human facial expressions
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Most studies on dogs’ cognitive skills in understanding human communication have been conducted on pet dogs, making them a role model for the species. However, pet dogs are just a minor and particular sample of the total dog world population, which would instead be better represented by free-ranging dogs. Since free-ranging dogs are still facing the selective forces of the domestication process, they indeed represent an important study subject to investigate the effect that such a process has had on dogs’ behavior and cognition. Despite only a few studies on free-ranging dogs (specifically village dogs) having been conducted so far, the results are intriguing. In fact, village dogs seem to place a high value on social contact with humans and understand some aspects of humans’ communication. In this study we aimed to investigate village dogs’ ability in understanding a subtle human communicative cue: human facial expressions, and compared them with pet dogs, who have already provided evidence of this social skill. We tested whether subjects were able to distinguish between neutral, happy, and angry human facial expressions in a test mimicking a potential real-life situation, where the experimenter repeatedly performed one facial expression while eating some food, and ultimately dropped it on the ground. We found evidence that village dogs, as well as pet dogs, could distinguish between subtle human communicative cues, since they performed a higher frequency of aversive gazes (looking away) in the angry condition than in the happy condition. However, we did not find other behavioral effects of the different conditions, likely due to the low intensity of the emotional expression performed. We suggest that village dogs’ ability in distinguishing between human facial expressions could provide them with an advantage in surviving in a human-dominated environment.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Martina Lazzaroni
creator: Joana Schär
creator: Elizabeth Baxter
creator: Juliette Gratalon
creator: Friederike Range
creator: Sarah Marshall-Pescini
creator: Rachel Dale
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15601
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Lazzaroni et al.
abstract: Most studies on dogs’ cognitive skills in understanding human communication have been conducted on pet dogs, making them a role model for the species. However, pet dogs are just a minor and particular sample of the total dog world population, which would instead be better represented by free-ranging dogs. Since free-ranging dogs are still facing the selective forces of the domestication process, they indeed represent an important study subject to investigate the effect that such a process has had on dogs’ behavior and cognition. Despite only a few studies on free-ranging dogs (specifically village dogs) having been conducted so far, the results are intriguing. In fact, village dogs seem to place a high value on social contact with humans and understand some aspects of humans’ communication. In this study we aimed to investigate village dogs’ ability in understanding a subtle human communicative cue: human facial expressions, and compared them with pet dogs, who have already provided evidence of this social skill. We tested whether subjects were able to distinguish between neutral, happy, and angry human facial expressions in a test mimicking a potential real-life situation, where the experimenter repeatedly performed one facial expression while eating some food, and ultimately dropped it on the ground. We found evidence that village dogs, as well as pet dogs, could distinguish between subtle human communicative cues, since they performed a higher frequency of aversive gazes (looking away) in the angry condition than in the happy condition. However, we did not find other behavioral effects of the different conditions, likely due to the low intensity of the emotional expression performed. We suggest that village dogs’ ability in distinguishing between human facial expressions could provide them with an advantage in surviving in a human-dominated environment.
bibliographic citation: Lazzaroni et al. (2023) Village dogs match pet dogs in reading human facial expressions. PeerJ 11:e15601 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15601
date submitted: 2022-12-20
date accepted: 2023-05-30
issued: 2023-07-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lazzaroni
  given name: Martina
author list: Agent
  family name: Schär
  given name: Joana
author list: Agent
  family name: Baxter
  given name: Elizabeth
author list: Agent
  family name: Gratalon
  given name: Juliette
author list: Agent
  family name: Range
  given name: Friederike
author list: Agent
  family name: Marshall-Pescini
  given name: Sarah
author list: Agent
  family name: Dale
  given name: Rachel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15601
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-06
copyright: ©2023 Lazzaroni et al.
attribution name: Lazzaroni et al.

Development of a circHIPK3-based ceRNA network and identification of mRNA signature in breast cancer patients harboring BRCA mutation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Exploring the regulatory network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) as hallmarks for breast cancer development has great significance and could provide therapeutic targets. An mRNA signature predictive of prognosis and therapy response in BRCA carriers was developed according to circular RNA homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3 (circHIPK3)-based ceRNA network. Method We constructed a circHIPK3-based ceRNA network based on GSE173766 dataset and identified potential mRNAs that were associated with BRCA mutation patients within this ceRNA network. A total of 11 prognostic mRNAs and a risk model were identified and developed by univariate Cox regression analysis and the LASSO regression analysis as well as stepAIC method. Genomic landscape was treated by mutect2 and fisher. Immune characteristics was analyzed by ESTIMATE, MCP-counter. TIDE analysis was conducted to predict immunotherapy. The clinical treatment outcomes of BRCA mutation patients were assessed using a nomogram. The proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines were examined using CCK8 assay and transwell assay. Result We found 241 mRNAs within the circHIPK3-based ceRNA network. An 11 mRNA-based signature was identified for prognostic model construction. High risk patients exhibited dismal prognosis, low response to immunotherapy, less immune cell infiltration and tumor mutation burden (TMB). High-risk patients were sensitive to six anti-tumor drugs, while low-risk patient were sensitive to 47 drugs. The risk score was the most effective on evaluating patients’ survival. The robustness and good prediction performance were validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and immunotherapy datasets, respectively. In addition, circHIPK3 mRNA level was upregulated, and promoted cell viability, migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines. Conclusion The current study could improve the understanding of mRNAs in relation to BRCA mutation and pave the way to develop …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qi-xin Lian
creator: Yang Song
creator: Lili Han
creator: Zunxian Wang
creator: Yinhui Song
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Immunology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15572
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Lian et al.
abstract: Background Exploring the regulatory network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) as hallmarks for breast cancer development has great significance and could provide therapeutic targets. An mRNA signature predictive of prognosis and therapy response in BRCA carriers was developed according to circular RNA homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3 (circHIPK3)-based ceRNA network. Method We constructed a circHIPK3-based ceRNA network based on GSE173766 dataset and identified potential mRNAs that were associated with BRCA mutation patients within this ceRNA network. A total of 11 prognostic mRNAs and a risk model were identified and developed by univariate Cox regression analysis and the LASSO regression analysis as well as stepAIC method. Genomic landscape was treated by mutect2 and fisher. Immune characteristics was analyzed by ESTIMATE, MCP-counter. TIDE analysis was conducted to predict immunotherapy. The clinical treatment outcomes of BRCA mutation patients were assessed using a nomogram. The proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines were examined using CCK8 assay and transwell assay. Result We found 241 mRNAs within the circHIPK3-based ceRNA network. An 11 mRNA-based signature was identified for prognostic model construction. High risk patients exhibited dismal prognosis, low response to immunotherapy, less immune cell infiltration and tumor mutation burden (TMB). High-risk patients were sensitive to six anti-tumor drugs, while low-risk patient were sensitive to 47 drugs. The risk score was the most effective on evaluating patients’ survival. The robustness and good prediction performance were validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and immunotherapy datasets, respectively. In addition, circHIPK3 mRNA level was upregulated, and promoted cell viability, migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines. Conclusion The current study could improve the understanding of mRNAs in relation to BRCA mutation and pave the way to develop …
bibliographic citation: Lian et al. (2023) Development of a circHIPK3-based ceRNA network and identification of mRNA signature in breast cancer patients harboring BRCA mutation. PeerJ 11:e15572 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15572
date submitted: 2023-04-25
date accepted: 2023-05-25
issued: 2023-07-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lian
  given name: Qi-xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Song
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Lili
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zunxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Song
  given name: Yinhui
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15572
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-05
copyright: ©2023 Lian et al.
attribution name: Lian et al.

Chemical weathering rates and controlling mechanisms of glacial catchments within different climate regimes in the Tibetan Plateau
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Continental weathering plays an important role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels. Chemical weathering in glacial areas has become an intensely focused topic in the background of global change compared with other terrestrial weathering systems. However, research on the weathering of the glacial areas in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin (YTRB) is still limited. Methods In this article, the major ions of the Chaiqu and Niangqu catchments in the YTRB have been investigated to illustrate the chemical weathering rates and mechanisms of the glacier areas in the YTRB. Results Ca2+ and HCO ${}_{3}^{-}$ 3 − dominate the major ions of the Chaiqu and Niangqu rivers, accounting for about 71.3% and 69.2% of the TZ+ of the Chaiqu (the total cations, TZ+ = Na+ + K+ + Ca2 + + Mg2+, in µeq/L), and about 64.2% and 62.6% of the TZ+ of the Niangqu. A Monte Carlo model with six end-members is applied to quantitatively partition the dissolved load sources of the catchments. The results show that the dissolved loads of the Chaiqu and Niangqu rivers are mainly derived from carbonate weathering (accounting for about 62.9% and 79.7% of the TZ+, respectively), followed by silicate weathering (about 25.8% and 7.9% of the TZ+, respectively). The contributions of precipitation and evaporite to the Chaiqu rivers are about 5.0% and 6.2%, and those to the Niangqu rivers are about 6.3% and 6.2%. The model also calculated the proportion of sulfuric acid weathering in the Chaiqu and Niangqu catchments, which account for about 21.1% and 32.3% of the TZ+, respectively. Based on the results calculated by the model, the carbonate and silicate weathering rates in the Chaiqu catchment are about 7.9 and 1.8 ton km−2 a−1, and in the Niangqu catchment, the rates are about 13.7 and 1.5 ton km−2 a−1. The associated CO2 consumption in the Chaiqu catchment is about 4.3 and 4.4 × 104 mol km−2 a−1, and about 4.3 and 1.3 × 104 mol km−2 a−1 in the Niangqu catchment. The chemical weathering rates of the gla…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiao Guo
creator: Zimiao Zhao
creator: Wenjing Liu
creator: Huiguo Sun
creator: Zhifang Xu
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
subject: Ecohydrology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15594
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Guo et al.
abstract: Background Continental weathering plays an important role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels. Chemical weathering in glacial areas has become an intensely focused topic in the background of global change compared with other terrestrial weathering systems. However, research on the weathering of the glacial areas in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin (YTRB) is still limited. Methods In this article, the major ions of the Chaiqu and Niangqu catchments in the YTRB have been investigated to illustrate the chemical weathering rates and mechanisms of the glacier areas in the YTRB. Results Ca2+ and HCO ${}_{3}^{-}$ 3 − dominate the major ions of the Chaiqu and Niangqu rivers, accounting for about 71.3% and 69.2% of the TZ+ of the Chaiqu (the total cations, TZ+ = Na+ + K+ + Ca2 + + Mg2+, in µeq/L), and about 64.2% and 62.6% of the TZ+ of the Niangqu. A Monte Carlo model with six end-members is applied to quantitatively partition the dissolved load sources of the catchments. The results show that the dissolved loads of the Chaiqu and Niangqu rivers are mainly derived from carbonate weathering (accounting for about 62.9% and 79.7% of the TZ+, respectively), followed by silicate weathering (about 25.8% and 7.9% of the TZ+, respectively). The contributions of precipitation and evaporite to the Chaiqu rivers are about 5.0% and 6.2%, and those to the Niangqu rivers are about 6.3% and 6.2%. The model also calculated the proportion of sulfuric acid weathering in the Chaiqu and Niangqu catchments, which account for about 21.1% and 32.3% of the TZ+, respectively. Based on the results calculated by the model, the carbonate and silicate weathering rates in the Chaiqu catchment are about 7.9 and 1.8 ton km−2 a−1, and in the Niangqu catchment, the rates are about 13.7 and 1.5 ton km−2 a−1. The associated CO2 consumption in the Chaiqu catchment is about 4.3 and 4.4 × 104 mol km−2 a−1, and about 4.3 and 1.3 × 104 mol km−2 a−1 in the Niangqu catchment. The chemical weathering rates of the gla…
bibliographic citation: Guo et al. (2023) Chemical weathering rates and controlling mechanisms of glacial catchments within different climate regimes in the Tibetan Plateau. PeerJ 11:e15594 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15594
date submitted: 2023-02-07
date accepted: 2023-05-29
issued: 2023-07-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Xiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Zimiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Wenjing
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Huiguo
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Zhifang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15594
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-05
copyright: ©2023 Guo et al.
attribution name: Guo et al.

Identification of sterile a-motif domain-containing 9-like as a potential biomarker in patients with cutaneous melanoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, accounting for approximately 75% of skin cancer-related fatalities annually. Sterile a-motif domain-containing 9-like (SAMD9L) has been found to regulate cell proliferation and suppress the neoplastic phenotype, but its specific role in SKCM remains unknown. To investigate the cancer-associated immunology of SKCM and the role of SAMD9L in tumor progression, we conducted an integrative bioinformatics analysis that revealed elevated expression levels of SAMD9L in SKCM. ROC curves and survival analyses confirmed the considerable diagnostic and prognostic abilities of SAMD9L. Moreover, a real-world cohort of 35 SKCM patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University showed that higher expression levels of SAMD9L were associated with better prognosis. We performed validation experiments, including cell culture, generation of lentiviral-transfected SKCM cell lines, cell proliferation assay, and transwell assay, which demonstrated that down-regulation of SAMD9L significantly promoted proliferation and migration capacities of SKCM cells. Additionally, SAMD9L expression was found to be strongly linked to immune infiltration. Our results revealed a positive correlation between SAMD9L and XAF1 expression, suggesting that SAMD9L may serve as a prospective prognostic indicator of SKCM with co-expressed XAF1 gene. In summary, our findings indicate that SAMD9L may serve as a promising prognostic and therapeutic biomarker and play a critical role in tumor-immune interactions in SKCM.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Junsen Ye
creator: Haidan Tang
creator: Chuanrui Xie
creator: Wei Han
creator: Guoliang Shen
creator: Ying Qian
creator: Jin Xu
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Dermatology
subject: Oncology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15634
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Ye et al.
abstract: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, accounting for approximately 75% of skin cancer-related fatalities annually. Sterile a-motif domain-containing 9-like (SAMD9L) has been found to regulate cell proliferation and suppress the neoplastic phenotype, but its specific role in SKCM remains unknown. To investigate the cancer-associated immunology of SKCM and the role of SAMD9L in tumor progression, we conducted an integrative bioinformatics analysis that revealed elevated expression levels of SAMD9L in SKCM. ROC curves and survival analyses confirmed the considerable diagnostic and prognostic abilities of SAMD9L. Moreover, a real-world cohort of 35 SKCM patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University showed that higher expression levels of SAMD9L were associated with better prognosis. We performed validation experiments, including cell culture, generation of lentiviral-transfected SKCM cell lines, cell proliferation assay, and transwell assay, which demonstrated that down-regulation of SAMD9L significantly promoted proliferation and migration capacities of SKCM cells. Additionally, SAMD9L expression was found to be strongly linked to immune infiltration. Our results revealed a positive correlation between SAMD9L and XAF1 expression, suggesting that SAMD9L may serve as a prospective prognostic indicator of SKCM with co-expressed XAF1 gene. In summary, our findings indicate that SAMD9L may serve as a promising prognostic and therapeutic biomarker and play a critical role in tumor-immune interactions in SKCM.
bibliographic citation: Ye et al. (2023) Identification of sterile a-motif domain-containing 9-like as a potential biomarker in patients with cutaneous melanoma. PeerJ 11:e15634 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15634
date submitted: 2023-03-10
date accepted: 2023-06-05
issued: 2023-07-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Junsen
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Haidan
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Chuanrui
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Guoliang
author list: Agent
  family name: Qian
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Jin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15634
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-05
copyright: © 2023 Ye et al.
attribution name: Ye et al.

The mediating role of attention deficit in relationship between insomnia and social cognition tasks among nurses in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose Insomnia-related affective functional disorder may negatively affect social cognition such as empathy, altruism, and attitude toward providing care. No previous studies have ever investigated the mediating role of attention deficit in the relationship between insomnia and social cognition. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 664 nurses (Mage = 33.03 years; SD ± 6.93 years) from December 2020 to September 2021. They completed the Scale of Attitude towards the Patient (SAtP), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), a single-item numeric rating scale assessing the increasing severity of attention complaints, and questions relating to socio-demographic information. The analysis was carried out by examining the mediating role of attention deficit in the relationship between insomnia and social cognition. Results The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was high (52% insomnia using the AIS). Insomnia was significantly correlated with attention problems (b = 0.18, standard error (SE) = 0.02, p < 0.001). Attention problems were significantly negatively correlated with nurses’ attitudes towards patients (b = −0.56, SE = 0.08, p < 0.001), respect for autonomy (b = −0.18, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), holism (b = −0.14, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), empathy (b = −0.15, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), and altruism (b = −0.10, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001). Attention problems indirectly mediated the effect of insomnia on attitudes toward patients (99% CI = −0.10 [−0.16 to −0.05]), respect for autonomy (99% CI = −0.03 [−0.05 to −0.02]), holism (99% CI = −0.02 [−0.04 to −0.01]) empathy (99% CI = −0.03 [−0.04 to −0.01]), and altruism (99% CI = −0.02 [−0.03 to −0.01]). Conclusion Nurses with insomnia-related attention problems are likely to have poor explicit social cognition such as attitude toward patients, altruism, empathy, respect for autonomy, and holism.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Md. Dilshad Manzar
creator: Faizan Kashoo
creator: Abdulrhman Albougami
creator: Majed Alamri
creator: Jazi Shaydied Alotaibi
creator: Bader A. Alrasheadi
creator: Ahmed Mansour Almansour
creator: Mehrunnisha Ahmad
creator: Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
creator: Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar
creator: Mark D. Griffiths
subject: Nursing
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15508
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Manzar et al.
abstract: Purpose Insomnia-related affective functional disorder may negatively affect social cognition such as empathy, altruism, and attitude toward providing care. No previous studies have ever investigated the mediating role of attention deficit in the relationship between insomnia and social cognition. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 664 nurses (Mage = 33.03 years; SD ± 6.93 years) from December 2020 to September 2021. They completed the Scale of Attitude towards the Patient (SAtP), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), a single-item numeric rating scale assessing the increasing severity of attention complaints, and questions relating to socio-demographic information. The analysis was carried out by examining the mediating role of attention deficit in the relationship between insomnia and social cognition. Results The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was high (52% insomnia using the AIS). Insomnia was significantly correlated with attention problems (b = 0.18, standard error (SE) = 0.02, p < 0.001). Attention problems were significantly negatively correlated with nurses’ attitudes towards patients (b = −0.56, SE = 0.08, p < 0.001), respect for autonomy (b = −0.18, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), holism (b = −0.14, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), empathy (b = −0.15, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), and altruism (b = −0.10, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001). Attention problems indirectly mediated the effect of insomnia on attitudes toward patients (99% CI = −0.10 [−0.16 to −0.05]), respect for autonomy (99% CI = −0.03 [−0.05 to −0.02]), holism (99% CI = −0.02 [−0.04 to −0.01]) empathy (99% CI = −0.03 [−0.04 to −0.01]), and altruism (99% CI = −0.02 [−0.03 to −0.01]). Conclusion Nurses with insomnia-related attention problems are likely to have poor explicit social cognition such as attitude toward patients, altruism, empathy, respect for autonomy, and holism.
bibliographic citation: Manzar et al. (2023) The mediating role of attention deficit in relationship between insomnia and social cognition tasks among nurses in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. PeerJ 11:e15508 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15508
date submitted: 2022-12-19
date accepted: 2023-05-15
issued: 2023-07-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Manzar
  given name: Md. Dilshad
author list: Agent
  family name: Kashoo
  given name: Faizan
author list: Agent
  family name: Albougami
  given name: Abdulrhman
author list: Agent
  family name: Alamri
  given name: Majed
author list: Agent
  family name: Alotaibi
  given name: Jazi Shaydied
author list: Agent
  family name: Alrasheadi
  given name: Bader A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Almansour
  given name: Ahmed Mansour
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahmad
  given name: Mehrunnisha
author list: Agent
  family name: Sirajudeen
  given name: Mohamed Sherif
author list: Agent
  family name: Sikkandar
  given name: Mohamed Yacin
author list: Agent
  family name: Griffiths
  given name: Mark D.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15508
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-04
copyright: © 2023 Manzar et al.
attribution name: Manzar et al.

Functionalized nanoparticles crossing the brain–blood barrier to target glioma cells
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Glioma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), with a 5-year survival rate of <35%. Drug therapy, such as chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents, remains one of the main treatment modalities for glioma, including temozolomide, doxorubicin, bortezomib, cabazitaxel, dihydroartemisinin, immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as other approaches such as siRNA, ferroptosis induction, etc. However, the filter function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) reduces the amount of drugs needed to effectively target CNS tumors, making it one of the main reasons for poor drug efficacies in glioma. Thus, finding a suitable drug delivery platform that can cross the BBB, increase drug aggregation and retainment in tumoral areas and avoid accumulation in non-targeted areas remains an unsolved challenge in glioma drug therapy. An ideal drug delivery system for glioma therapy should have the following features: (1) prolonged drug life in circulation and effective penetration through the BBB; (2) adequate accumulation within the tumor (3) controlled-drug release modulation; (4) good clearance from the body without significant toxicity and immunogenicity, etc. In this regard, due to their unique structural features, nanocarriers can effectively span the BBB and target glioma cells through surface functionalization, providing a new and effective strategy for drug delivery. In this article, we discuss the characteristics and pathways of different nanocarriers for crossing the BBB and targeting glioma by listing different materials for drug delivery platforms, including lipid materials, polymers, nanocrystals, inorganic nanomaterials, etc.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yongyan Wu
creator: Yufeng Qian
creator: Wei Peng
creator: Xuchen Qi
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Hematology
subject: Neurology
subject: Oncology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15571
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Wu et al.
abstract: Glioma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), with a 5-year survival rate of <35%. Drug therapy, such as chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents, remains one of the main treatment modalities for glioma, including temozolomide, doxorubicin, bortezomib, cabazitaxel, dihydroartemisinin, immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as other approaches such as siRNA, ferroptosis induction, etc. However, the filter function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) reduces the amount of drugs needed to effectively target CNS tumors, making it one of the main reasons for poor drug efficacies in glioma. Thus, finding a suitable drug delivery platform that can cross the BBB, increase drug aggregation and retainment in tumoral areas and avoid accumulation in non-targeted areas remains an unsolved challenge in glioma drug therapy. An ideal drug delivery system for glioma therapy should have the following features: (1) prolonged drug life in circulation and effective penetration through the BBB; (2) adequate accumulation within the tumor (3) controlled-drug release modulation; (4) good clearance from the body without significant toxicity and immunogenicity, etc. In this regard, due to their unique structural features, nanocarriers can effectively span the BBB and target glioma cells through surface functionalization, providing a new and effective strategy for drug delivery. In this article, we discuss the characteristics and pathways of different nanocarriers for crossing the BBB and targeting glioma by listing different materials for drug delivery platforms, including lipid materials, polymers, nanocrystals, inorganic nanomaterials, etc.
bibliographic citation: Wu et al. (2023) Functionalized nanoparticles crossing the brain–blood barrier to target glioma cells. PeerJ 11:e15571 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15571
date submitted: 2023-04-13
date accepted: 2023-05-25
issued: 2023-07-04
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Yongyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Qian
  given name: Yufeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Qi
  given name: Xuchen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15571
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-07-04
copyright: ©2023 Wu et al.
attribution name: Wu et al.

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