PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Exploring forearm muscle coordination and training applications of various grip positions during maximal isometric finger dead-hangs in rock climbers
items: Ferroptosis-associated gene CISD2 suppresses colon cancer development by regulating tumor immune microenvironment
items: Land use scenarios, seasonality, and stream identity determine the water physicochemistry of tropical cloud forest streams
items: Development and validation of a nomogram to predict protein-energy wasting in patients with peritoneal dialysis: a multicenter cohort study
items: The conservation value of freshwater habitats for frog communities of lowland fynbos
items: Association between free thyroxine levels and clinical phenotype in first-episode psychosis: a prospective observational study
items: Influence of SPIO labelling on the function of BMSCs in chemokine receptors expression and chemotaxis
items: Functional responses of male and female European green crabs suggest potential sex-specific impacts of invasion
items: Antimicrobial susceptibility and integrons detection among extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in patients with urinary tract infection
items: Unraveling the functional genes present in rhizosphere microbiomes of Solanum lycopersicum

Exploring forearm muscle coordination and training applications of various grip positions during maximal isometric finger dead-hangs in rock climbers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Maximal isometric finger dead-hangs are used in rock climbing to strengthen finger flexors. Although various grip positions are often used when performing finger dead-hangs, little is known regarding how these grip positions can affect forearm muscle activity. Understanding how forearm muscles are recruited during dead-hangs could help foreseeing the potential for training of different grip positions. The aim of the present study was to explore the training applications of the various grip positions by comparing the activity of forearm muscles during maximal dead-hangs in rock climbers. Materials & Methods Twenty-five climbers performed maximal dead-hangs in three climbing-specific grip positions: CRIMP, SLOPE, and SLOPER. We recorded the maximal loads used and the sEMG of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and the extensor digitorum communis (EDC). Individual and global (sum of all muscles) root mean square (RMS) and neuromuscular efficiency (NME) values were computed. Repeated measures analysis were performed to assess grip differences (p < 0.05). Results SLOPER showed the largest maximal load values among the three grip positions (p < 0.001, d ≥ 2.772). Greater global (p ≤ 0.044, d ≥ 0.268), FDS (p ≤ 0.005, d ≥ 0.277), and FCR (p < 0.001, d ≥ 1.049) activity was observed for the SLOPER compared to CRIMP and SLOPE, while EDC (p ≤ 0.005, d ≥ 0.505) showed lower activity in the SLOPER compared to the other two grip positions. SLOPER presented the highest global (p < 0.001, d ≥ 0.629), FDP (p < 0.001, d ≥ 0.777), FDS (only CRIMP vs SLOPER: p < 0.001, d = 0.140), and EDC NME (p < 0.001, d ≥ 1.194). The CRIMP showed greater FDS activity (p = 0.001, d = 0.386) and lower NME (p = 0.003, d = 0.125) compared to SLOPE. Conclusions These results revealed that, under maximum intensity conditions, SLOPER could stimulate the FDS and FCR better than the other grip positions at the expense of…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Blai Ferrer-Uris
creator: Denisse Arias
creator: Priscila Torrado
creator: Michel Marina
creator: Albert Busquets
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15464
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Ferrer-Uris et al.
abstract: Background Maximal isometric finger dead-hangs are used in rock climbing to strengthen finger flexors. Although various grip positions are often used when performing finger dead-hangs, little is known regarding how these grip positions can affect forearm muscle activity. Understanding how forearm muscles are recruited during dead-hangs could help foreseeing the potential for training of different grip positions. The aim of the present study was to explore the training applications of the various grip positions by comparing the activity of forearm muscles during maximal dead-hangs in rock climbers. Materials & Methods Twenty-five climbers performed maximal dead-hangs in three climbing-specific grip positions: CRIMP, SLOPE, and SLOPER. We recorded the maximal loads used and the sEMG of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and the extensor digitorum communis (EDC). Individual and global (sum of all muscles) root mean square (RMS) and neuromuscular efficiency (NME) values were computed. Repeated measures analysis were performed to assess grip differences (p < 0.05). Results SLOPER showed the largest maximal load values among the three grip positions (p < 0.001, d ≥ 2.772). Greater global (p ≤ 0.044, d ≥ 0.268), FDS (p ≤ 0.005, d ≥ 0.277), and FCR (p < 0.001, d ≥ 1.049) activity was observed for the SLOPER compared to CRIMP and SLOPE, while EDC (p ≤ 0.005, d ≥ 0.505) showed lower activity in the SLOPER compared to the other two grip positions. SLOPER presented the highest global (p < 0.001, d ≥ 0.629), FDP (p < 0.001, d ≥ 0.777), FDS (only CRIMP vs SLOPER: p < 0.001, d = 0.140), and EDC NME (p < 0.001, d ≥ 1.194). The CRIMP showed greater FDS activity (p = 0.001, d = 0.386) and lower NME (p = 0.003, d = 0.125) compared to SLOPE. Conclusions These results revealed that, under maximum intensity conditions, SLOPER could stimulate the FDS and FCR better than the other grip positions at the expense of…
bibliographic citation: Ferrer-Uris et al. (2023) Exploring forearm muscle coordination and training applications of various grip positions during maximal isometric finger dead-hangs in rock climbers. PeerJ 11:e15464 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15464
date submitted: 2023-02-13
date accepted: 2023-05-05
issued: 2023-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ferrer-Uris
  given name: Blai
author list: Agent
  family name: Arias
  given name: Denisse
author list: Agent
  family name: Torrado
  given name: Priscila
author list: Agent
  family name: Marina
  given name: Michel
author list: Agent
  family name: Busquets
  given name: Albert
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15464
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-05
copyright: ©2023 Ferrer-Uris et al.
attribution name: Ferrer-Uris et al.

Ferroptosis-associated gene CISD2 suppresses colon cancer development by regulating tumor immune microenvironment
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Despite the association of ferroptosis with various tumors, the specific mechanism by which it influences colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) microenvironmental equilibrium remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate how ferroptosis affects COAD microenvironmental homeostasis and its potential impact on COAD research. Objective By employing genetic screening and single-cell analysis of tumor data, we investigated the role of ferroptosis genes in COAD microenvironmental homeostasis. The genes were correlated with immune cell infiltration in tissue samples and patient outcomes. Methods Ferroptosis-associated genes were initially identified through the FerrDb database. Utilizing the tidyverse and Seurat packages, genes with substantial expression differences were extracted, and clustering analysis was performed on the single-cell data. A Venn diagram depicted shared differential genes for ferroptosis and tumors. To screen key ferroptosis genes, further enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted. Lastly, human COAD cell lines were employed to overexpress CDGSH iron sulfur domain 2 (CISD2) through cellular assays to validate its function in COAD. Results Following screening of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, 414 COAD patient samples and 341 normal samples were included. Through the FerrDb database, 259 ferroptosis genes were identified. Clustering the single-cell data revealed 911 tumor marker genes, of which 18 were ferroptosis genes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and univariate regression analysis determined that only CISD2 was statistically significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Additionally, CISD2 was found to positively correlate with activated memory T cells and negatively correlate with regulatory T cells (Tregs) and plasma cells in COAD, as well as being significantly associated with several immune-related and cancer-related pathways. CISD2 expression was elevated in most …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yuanyuan Xu
creator: Qingzhu Tang
creator: Ning Ding
creator: Tao Zhang
creator: Hongbiao Luo
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15476
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Xu et al.
abstract: Background Despite the association of ferroptosis with various tumors, the specific mechanism by which it influences colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) microenvironmental equilibrium remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate how ferroptosis affects COAD microenvironmental homeostasis and its potential impact on COAD research. Objective By employing genetic screening and single-cell analysis of tumor data, we investigated the role of ferroptosis genes in COAD microenvironmental homeostasis. The genes were correlated with immune cell infiltration in tissue samples and patient outcomes. Methods Ferroptosis-associated genes were initially identified through the FerrDb database. Utilizing the tidyverse and Seurat packages, genes with substantial expression differences were extracted, and clustering analysis was performed on the single-cell data. A Venn diagram depicted shared differential genes for ferroptosis and tumors. To screen key ferroptosis genes, further enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted. Lastly, human COAD cell lines were employed to overexpress CDGSH iron sulfur domain 2 (CISD2) through cellular assays to validate its function in COAD. Results Following screening of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, 414 COAD patient samples and 341 normal samples were included. Through the FerrDb database, 259 ferroptosis genes were identified. Clustering the single-cell data revealed 911 tumor marker genes, of which 18 were ferroptosis genes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and univariate regression analysis determined that only CISD2 was statistically significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Additionally, CISD2 was found to positively correlate with activated memory T cells and negatively correlate with regulatory T cells (Tregs) and plasma cells in COAD, as well as being significantly associated with several immune-related and cancer-related pathways. CISD2 expression was elevated in most …
bibliographic citation: Xu et al. (2023) Ferroptosis-associated gene CISD2 suppresses colon cancer development by regulating tumor immune microenvironment. PeerJ 11:e15476 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15476
date submitted: 2023-02-07
date accepted: 2023-05-08
issued: 2023-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yuanyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Qingzhu
author list: Agent
  family name: Ding
  given name: Ning
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Luo
  given name: Hongbiao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15476
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-05
copyright: © 2023 Xu et al.
attribution name: Xu et al.

Land use scenarios, seasonality, and stream identity determine the water physicochemistry of tropical cloud forest streams
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Land use is a major factor determining stream water physicochemistry. However, most streams move from one land use type to another as they drain their watersheds. Here, we studied three land use scenarios in a tropical cloud forest zone in Mexico. We addressed three main goals, to: (1) assess how land use scenarios generate different patterns in stream physicochemical characteristics; (2) explore how seasonality (i.e., dry, dry-to-wet transition, and wet seasons) might result in changes to those patterns over the year; and (3) explore whether physicochemical patterns in different scenarios resulted in effects on biotic components (e.g., algal biomass). Methods We studied Tropical Mountain Cloud Forest streams in La Antigua watershed, Mexico. Streams drained different three scenarios, streams with (1) an upstream section draining forest followed by a pasture section (F-P), (2) an upstream section in pasture followed by a forest section (P-F), and (3) an upstream forest section followed by coffee plantation (F-C). Physicochemistry was determined at the upstream and downstream sections, and at the boundary between land uses. Measurements were seasonal, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. Water was analyzed for suspended solids, alkalinity, silica, chloride, sulfate, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Nutrients included ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus. We measured benthic and suspended organic matter and chlorophyll. Results Streams presented strong seasonality, with the highest discharge and suspended solids during the wet season. Scenarios and streams within each scenario had distinct physicochemical signatures. All three streams within each scenario clustered together in ordination space and remained close to each other during all seasons. There were significant scenario-season interactions on conductivity (F = 9.5, P < 0.001), discharge (F = 56.7, P < 0.001), pH (F = 4.5, P = 0.011), Cl− (F = 12.2, P < 0.001), SO42− (F = 8.8, P…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gabriela Vázquez
creator: Alonso Ramírez
creator: Mario E. Favila
creator: M. Susana Alvarado-Barrientos
subject: Ecology
subject: Freshwater Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15487
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Vázquez et al.
abstract: Background Land use is a major factor determining stream water physicochemistry. However, most streams move from one land use type to another as they drain their watersheds. Here, we studied three land use scenarios in a tropical cloud forest zone in Mexico. We addressed three main goals, to: (1) assess how land use scenarios generate different patterns in stream physicochemical characteristics; (2) explore how seasonality (i.e., dry, dry-to-wet transition, and wet seasons) might result in changes to those patterns over the year; and (3) explore whether physicochemical patterns in different scenarios resulted in effects on biotic components (e.g., algal biomass). Methods We studied Tropical Mountain Cloud Forest streams in La Antigua watershed, Mexico. Streams drained different three scenarios, streams with (1) an upstream section draining forest followed by a pasture section (F-P), (2) an upstream section in pasture followed by a forest section (P-F), and (3) an upstream forest section followed by coffee plantation (F-C). Physicochemistry was determined at the upstream and downstream sections, and at the boundary between land uses. Measurements were seasonal, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. Water was analyzed for suspended solids, alkalinity, silica, chloride, sulfate, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Nutrients included ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus. We measured benthic and suspended organic matter and chlorophyll. Results Streams presented strong seasonality, with the highest discharge and suspended solids during the wet season. Scenarios and streams within each scenario had distinct physicochemical signatures. All three streams within each scenario clustered together in ordination space and remained close to each other during all seasons. There were significant scenario-season interactions on conductivity (F = 9.5, P < 0.001), discharge (F = 56.7, P < 0.001), pH (F = 4.5, P = 0.011), Cl− (F = 12.2, P < 0.001), SO42− (F = 8.8, P…
bibliographic citation: Vázquez et al. (2023) Land use scenarios, seasonality, and stream identity determine the water physicochemistry of tropical cloud forest streams. PeerJ 11:e15487 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15487
date submitted: 2022-09-16
date accepted: 2023-05-10
issued: 2023-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vázquez
  given name: Gabriela
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramírez
  given name: Alonso
author list: Agent
  family name: Favila
  given name: Mario E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alvarado-Barrientos
  given name: M. Susana
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15487
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-05
copyright: © 2023 Vázquez et al.
attribution name: Vázquez et al.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict protein-energy wasting in patients with peritoneal dialysis: a multicenter cohort study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a common complication in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Few investigations involved risk factors identification and predictive model construction related to PEW. We aimed to develop a nomogram to predict PEW risk in patients with peritoneal dialysis. Methods We collected data from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who regularly underwent peritoneal dialysis between January 2011 and November 2022 at two hospitals retrospectively. The outcome of the nomogram was PEW. Multivariate logistic regression screened predictors and established a nomogram. We measured the predictive performance based on discrimination ability, calibration, and clinical utility. Evaluation indicators were receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibrate curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The performance calculation of the internal validation cohort validated the nomogram. Results In this study, 369 enrolled patients were divided into development (n = 210) and validation (n = 159) cohorts according to the proportion of 6:4. The incidence of PEW was 49.86%. Predictors were age, dialysis duration, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), serum creatinine (Scr), serum calcium, and triglyceride (TG). These variables showed a good discriminate performance in development and validation cohorts (ROC = 0.769, 95% CI [0.705–0.832], ROC = 0.669, 95% CI [0.585–0.753]). This nomogram was adequately calibrated. The predicted probability was consistent with the observed outcome. Conclusion This nomogram can predict the risk of PEW in patients with PD and provide valuable evidence for PEW prevention and decision-making.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ziwei Mei
creator: Bin Zhu
creator: Xiaoli Sun
creator: Yajie Zhou
creator: Yuanyuan Qiu
creator: Xiaolan Ye
creator: Hongjuan Zhang
creator: Chunlan Lu
creator: Jun Chen
creator: Hong Zhu
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Nephrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15507
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Mei et al.
abstract: Background Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a common complication in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Few investigations involved risk factors identification and predictive model construction related to PEW. We aimed to develop a nomogram to predict PEW risk in patients with peritoneal dialysis. Methods We collected data from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who regularly underwent peritoneal dialysis between January 2011 and November 2022 at two hospitals retrospectively. The outcome of the nomogram was PEW. Multivariate logistic regression screened predictors and established a nomogram. We measured the predictive performance based on discrimination ability, calibration, and clinical utility. Evaluation indicators were receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibrate curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The performance calculation of the internal validation cohort validated the nomogram. Results In this study, 369 enrolled patients were divided into development (n = 210) and validation (n = 159) cohorts according to the proportion of 6:4. The incidence of PEW was 49.86%. Predictors were age, dialysis duration, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), serum creatinine (Scr), serum calcium, and triglyceride (TG). These variables showed a good discriminate performance in development and validation cohorts (ROC = 0.769, 95% CI [0.705–0.832], ROC = 0.669, 95% CI [0.585–0.753]). This nomogram was adequately calibrated. The predicted probability was consistent with the observed outcome. Conclusion This nomogram can predict the risk of PEW in patients with PD and provide valuable evidence for PEW prevention and decision-making.
bibliographic citation: Mei et al. (2023) Development and validation of a nomogram to predict protein-energy wasting in patients with peritoneal dialysis: a multicenter cohort study. PeerJ 11:e15507 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15507
date submitted: 2022-12-15
date accepted: 2023-05-15
issued: 2023-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mei
  given name: Ziwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Bin
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Xiaoli
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Yajie
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiu
  given name: Yuanyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Xiaolan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Hongjuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Chunlan
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Hong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15507
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-05
copyright: © 2023 Mei et al.
attribution name: Mei et al.

The conservation value of freshwater habitats for frog communities of lowland fynbos
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Amphibians are more threatened than any other vertebrate class, yet evidence for many threats is missing. The Cape lowland fynbos (endemic scrub biome) is threatened by habitat loss, and natural temporary freshwater habitats are removed in favour of permanent impoundments. In this study, we determine amphibian assemblages across different freshwater habitat types with special attention to the presence of invasive fish. We find that anuran communities differ primarily by habitat type, with permanent water habitats having more widespread taxa, while temporary water bodies have more range restricted taxa. Invasive fish are found to have a significant impact on frogs with toads most tolerant of their presence. Temporary freshwater habitats are a conservation priority in the area, and their amphibian assemblages represent endemic taxa that are intolerant of invasive fish. Conservation of a biodiverse amphibian assemblage in lowland fynbos areas will rely on the creation of temporary freshwater habitats, rather than a northern hemisphere pond based solution.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Naas Terblanche
creator: John Measey
subject: Biogeography
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15516
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Terblanche and Measey
abstract: Amphibians are more threatened than any other vertebrate class, yet evidence for many threats is missing. The Cape lowland fynbos (endemic scrub biome) is threatened by habitat loss, and natural temporary freshwater habitats are removed in favour of permanent impoundments. In this study, we determine amphibian assemblages across different freshwater habitat types with special attention to the presence of invasive fish. We find that anuran communities differ primarily by habitat type, with permanent water habitats having more widespread taxa, while temporary water bodies have more range restricted taxa. Invasive fish are found to have a significant impact on frogs with toads most tolerant of their presence. Temporary freshwater habitats are a conservation priority in the area, and their amphibian assemblages represent endemic taxa that are intolerant of invasive fish. Conservation of a biodiverse amphibian assemblage in lowland fynbos areas will rely on the creation of temporary freshwater habitats, rather than a northern hemisphere pond based solution.
bibliographic citation: Terblanche et al. (2023) The conservation value of freshwater habitats for frog communities of lowland fynbos. PeerJ 11:e15516 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15516
date submitted: 2022-11-17
date accepted: 2023-05-15
issued: 2023-06-05
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Terblanche
  given name: Naas
author list: Agent
  family name: Measey
  given name: John
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15516
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-05
copyright: © 2023 Terblanche and Measey
attribution name: Terblanche and Measey

Association between free thyroxine levels and clinical phenotype in first-episode psychosis: a prospective observational study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Aim To determine whether thyroid hormone levels are associated with a specific clinical phenotype in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Methods Ninety-eight inpatients experiencing FEP and with less than 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment were included in the study and were followed up for one year. Baseline psychiatric evaluation included assessment of prodromal symptoms, positive and negative symptoms, depressive symptoms, stressful life events and cycloid psychosis criteria. Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin (FT4)) was determined at admission. Partial correlation analysis was conducted to analyse the correlation between levels of TSH/FT4 and symptoms. Logistic regression was performed to explore the association between psychopathological symptoms, 12-month diagnoses and thyroid hormones while adjusting for covariates. Results Patients with prodromal symptomatology showed lower baseline FT4 levels (OR = 0.06; p = 0.018). The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was inversely associated with FT4 concentrations (r = − 0.243; p = 0.039). FEP patients with sudden onset of psychotic symptoms (criteria B, cycloid psychosis) showed higher FT4 levels at admission (OR = 10.49; p = 0.040). Patients diagnosed with affective psychotic disorders (BD or MDD) at the 12-month follow-up showed higher FT4 levels at admission than patients diagnosed with nonaffective psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective) (OR = 8.57; p = 0.042). Conclusions Our study suggests that higher free-thyroxine levels are associated with a specific clinical phenotype of FEP patients (fewer prodromal symptoms, shorter DUP duration and sudden onset of psychosis) and with affective psychosis diagnoses at the 12-month follow-up.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Eloi Gine-Serven
creator: Maria Martinez-Ramirez
creator: Ester Boix-Quintana
creator: Eva Davi-Loscos
creator: Nicolau Guanyabens
creator: Virginia Casado
creator: Desiree Muriana
creator: Cristina Torres-Rivas
creator: M.J. Cuesta
creator: Javier Labad
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15347
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Gine-Serven et al.
abstract: Aim To determine whether thyroid hormone levels are associated with a specific clinical phenotype in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Methods Ninety-eight inpatients experiencing FEP and with less than 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment were included in the study and were followed up for one year. Baseline psychiatric evaluation included assessment of prodromal symptoms, positive and negative symptoms, depressive symptoms, stressful life events and cycloid psychosis criteria. Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin (FT4)) was determined at admission. Partial correlation analysis was conducted to analyse the correlation between levels of TSH/FT4 and symptoms. Logistic regression was performed to explore the association between psychopathological symptoms, 12-month diagnoses and thyroid hormones while adjusting for covariates. Results Patients with prodromal symptomatology showed lower baseline FT4 levels (OR = 0.06; p = 0.018). The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was inversely associated with FT4 concentrations (r = − 0.243; p = 0.039). FEP patients with sudden onset of psychotic symptoms (criteria B, cycloid psychosis) showed higher FT4 levels at admission (OR = 10.49; p = 0.040). Patients diagnosed with affective psychotic disorders (BD or MDD) at the 12-month follow-up showed higher FT4 levels at admission than patients diagnosed with nonaffective psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective) (OR = 8.57; p = 0.042). Conclusions Our study suggests that higher free-thyroxine levels are associated with a specific clinical phenotype of FEP patients (fewer prodromal symptoms, shorter DUP duration and sudden onset of psychosis) and with affective psychosis diagnoses at the 12-month follow-up.
bibliographic citation: Gine-Serven et al. (2023) Association between free thyroxine levels and clinical phenotype in first-episode psychosis: a prospective observational study. PeerJ 11:e15347 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15347
date submitted: 2022-12-23
date accepted: 2023-04-13
issued: 2023-06-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gine-Serven
  given name: Eloi
author list: Agent
  family name: Martinez-Ramirez
  given name: Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Boix-Quintana
  given name: Ester
author list: Agent
  family name: Davi-Loscos
  given name: Eva
author list: Agent
  family name: Guanyabens
  given name: Nicolau
author list: Agent
  family name: Casado
  given name: Virginia
author list: Agent
  family name: Muriana
  given name: Desiree
author list: Agent
  family name: Torres-Rivas
  given name: Cristina
author list: Agent
  family name: Cuesta
  given name: M.J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Labad
  given name: Javier
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15347
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-02
copyright: ©2023 Gine-Serven et al.
attribution name: Gine-Serven et al.

Influence of SPIO labelling on the function of BMSCs in chemokine receptors expression and chemotaxis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are increasingly being used in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to enable homing of the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells and suppress acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). The aim of this study was to optimize the labelling of BMSCs with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs), and evaluate the impact of the SPIOs on the biological characteristics, gene expression profile and chemotaxis function of the BMSCs. The viability and proliferation rates of the SPIO-labeled BMSCs were analyzed by trypan blue staining and CCK-8 assay respectively, and the chemotaxis function was evaluated by the transwell assay. The expression levels of chemokine receptors were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The SPIOs had no effect on the viability of the BMSCs regardless of the labelling concentration and culture duration. The labelling rate of the cells was higher when cultured for 48 h with the SPIOs. Furthermore, cells labeled with 25 µg/ml SPIOs for 48 h had the highest proliferation rates, along with increased expression of chemokine receptor genes and proteins. However, there was no significant difference between the chemotaxis function of the labeled and unlabeled BMSCs. To summarize, labelling BMSCs with 25 µg/ml SPIOs for 48h did not affect their biological characteristics and chemotaxis function, which can be of significance for in vivo applications.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yuanchun Liu
creator: Wanyi Huang
creator: Huiyang Wang
creator: Wei Lu
creator: Jiayu Guo
creator: Li Yu
creator: Lina Wang
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15388
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Liu et al.
abstract: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are increasingly being used in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to enable homing of the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells and suppress acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). The aim of this study was to optimize the labelling of BMSCs with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs), and evaluate the impact of the SPIOs on the biological characteristics, gene expression profile and chemotaxis function of the BMSCs. The viability and proliferation rates of the SPIO-labeled BMSCs were analyzed by trypan blue staining and CCK-8 assay respectively, and the chemotaxis function was evaluated by the transwell assay. The expression levels of chemokine receptors were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The SPIOs had no effect on the viability of the BMSCs regardless of the labelling concentration and culture duration. The labelling rate of the cells was higher when cultured for 48 h with the SPIOs. Furthermore, cells labeled with 25 µg/ml SPIOs for 48 h had the highest proliferation rates, along with increased expression of chemokine receptor genes and proteins. However, there was no significant difference between the chemotaxis function of the labeled and unlabeled BMSCs. To summarize, labelling BMSCs with 25 µg/ml SPIOs for 48h did not affect their biological characteristics and chemotaxis function, which can be of significance for in vivo applications.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2023) Influence of SPIO labelling on the function of BMSCs in chemokine receptors expression and chemotaxis. PeerJ 11:e15388 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15388
date submitted: 2022-10-10
date accepted: 2023-04-19
issued: 2023-06-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yuanchun
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Wanyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Huiyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Jiayu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Lina
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15388
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-02
copyright: ©2023 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

Functional responses of male and female European green crabs suggest potential sex-specific impacts of invasion
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Predicting the impacts of predatory invasive species is important for prioritising conservation interventions. Functional response experiments, which examine consumption by predators in relation to prey density, are a useful way to assess the potential strength of novel predator-prey relationships. However, such experiments are often conducted without consideration of sex or only with males to reduce invasion risk. Here, we compared the functional responses of male and female European green crabs (Carcinus maenas), a global invader, feeding on varnish clams (Nuttallia obscurata) to test whether the two sexes have similar potential for impact. We also examined potential correlates of predation behaviour by measuring sex-specific movement and prey choice. Both sexes displayed a Type II hyperbolic functional response, which can destabilise prey populations at low prey densities. However, males and females exhibited some differences in foraging behaviour. Female green crabs had slightly lower attack rates, which were not linked to sex differences in movement, and slightly longer handling times, which were not linked to sex differences in prey choice. These small, non-significant differences nevertheless translated into significantly greater functional response ratios, which are used to predict the ecological impact of invasive species, for males than females. There was no difference in the proportion of clams consumed between males and females with similar crusher claw heights, but females have smaller crusher claws on average, hence they consumed a smaller proportion of clams. Repeated surveys of four populations of European green crabs established in British Columbia, Canada, showed that sex ratio is highly variable. Taken together, these results and population-level modelling suggest that trying to evaluate the potential impact of European green crabs on clam populations by sampling only males could result in overestimation, even in populations that have male-biased …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kiara R. Kattler
creator: Elizabeth M. Oishi
creator: Em G. Lim
creator: Hannah V. Watkins
creator: Isabelle M. Côté
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15424
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Kattler et al.
abstract: Predicting the impacts of predatory invasive species is important for prioritising conservation interventions. Functional response experiments, which examine consumption by predators in relation to prey density, are a useful way to assess the potential strength of novel predator-prey relationships. However, such experiments are often conducted without consideration of sex or only with males to reduce invasion risk. Here, we compared the functional responses of male and female European green crabs (Carcinus maenas), a global invader, feeding on varnish clams (Nuttallia obscurata) to test whether the two sexes have similar potential for impact. We also examined potential correlates of predation behaviour by measuring sex-specific movement and prey choice. Both sexes displayed a Type II hyperbolic functional response, which can destabilise prey populations at low prey densities. However, males and females exhibited some differences in foraging behaviour. Female green crabs had slightly lower attack rates, which were not linked to sex differences in movement, and slightly longer handling times, which were not linked to sex differences in prey choice. These small, non-significant differences nevertheless translated into significantly greater functional response ratios, which are used to predict the ecological impact of invasive species, for males than females. There was no difference in the proportion of clams consumed between males and females with similar crusher claw heights, but females have smaller crusher claws on average, hence they consumed a smaller proportion of clams. Repeated surveys of four populations of European green crabs established in British Columbia, Canada, showed that sex ratio is highly variable. Taken together, these results and population-level modelling suggest that trying to evaluate the potential impact of European green crabs on clam populations by sampling only males could result in overestimation, even in populations that have male-biased …
bibliographic citation: Kattler et al. (2023) Functional responses of male and female European green crabs suggest potential sex-specific impacts of invasion. PeerJ 11:e15424 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15424
date submitted: 2023-01-16
date accepted: 2023-04-25
issued: 2023-06-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kattler
  given name: Kiara R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Oishi
  given name: Elizabeth M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Lim
  given name: Em G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Watkins
  given name: Hannah V.
author list: Agent
  family name: Côté
  given name: Isabelle M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15424
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-02
copyright: ©2023 Kattler et al.
attribution name: Kattler et al.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and integrons detection among extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in patients with urinary tract infection
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Integrons are bacterial mobile genetic components responsible for mediating the antibiotic resistance process by carrying and spreading antimicrobial resistance genes among bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. Objectives This cross-sectional hospital-based study aimed to find the prevalence of antibiotic resistance patterns and to detect integrons classes (I, II, and III) among bacterial isolates in patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) in Sulaimani, Iraq. Patients and Methods Mid-stream urine samples (no. = 400) were collected from patients with UTI at three different Hospitals from Sulaimani, Iraq, between September 2021 to January 2022. Urine samples were cultured on various agar media, and grown bacteria were isolated. Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) and an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) screen were done for isolated bacteria. Then, integrons classes were screened using conventional PCR with gene sequencing and uploaded to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Results The frequency rate of Enterobacteriaceae was 67.03% among positive urine cultures. E. coli (no. = 86) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (no. = 32) isolates were identified. The most sensitive antibiotics were the carbapenem group (85.3%) and nitrofurantoin (NFN) (64.2%), while the most resistant antibiotics were nalidixic acid (NA) and 3rd generation cephalosporin. The occurrence rate of ESBL was 56.6% with a predominance of class I integron (54.2%), then class II (15.8%) and no positive record for class III integron were observed. Conclusion Most bacterial isolates from patients with UTI produced class I and II integrons genes with favourable ESBL properties.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Karzan Taha Abubaker
creator: Khanda Abdulateef Anwar
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15429
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Abubaker and Anwar
abstract: Background Integrons are bacterial mobile genetic components responsible for mediating the antibiotic resistance process by carrying and spreading antimicrobial resistance genes among bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. Objectives This cross-sectional hospital-based study aimed to find the prevalence of antibiotic resistance patterns and to detect integrons classes (I, II, and III) among bacterial isolates in patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) in Sulaimani, Iraq. Patients and Methods Mid-stream urine samples (no. = 400) were collected from patients with UTI at three different Hospitals from Sulaimani, Iraq, between September 2021 to January 2022. Urine samples were cultured on various agar media, and grown bacteria were isolated. Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) and an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) screen were done for isolated bacteria. Then, integrons classes were screened using conventional PCR with gene sequencing and uploaded to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Results The frequency rate of Enterobacteriaceae was 67.03% among positive urine cultures. E. coli (no. = 86) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (no. = 32) isolates were identified. The most sensitive antibiotics were the carbapenem group (85.3%) and nitrofurantoin (NFN) (64.2%), while the most resistant antibiotics were nalidixic acid (NA) and 3rd generation cephalosporin. The occurrence rate of ESBL was 56.6% with a predominance of class I integron (54.2%), then class II (15.8%) and no positive record for class III integron were observed. Conclusion Most bacterial isolates from patients with UTI produced class I and II integrons genes with favourable ESBL properties.
bibliographic citation: Abubaker et al. (2023) Antimicrobial susceptibility and integrons detection among extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in patients with urinary tract infection. PeerJ 11:e15429 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15429
date submitted: 2023-02-03
date accepted: 2023-04-26
issued: 2023-06-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Abubaker
  given name: Karzan Taha
author list: Agent
  family name: Anwar
  given name: Khanda Abdulateef
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15429
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-02
copyright: © 2023 Abubaker and Anwar
attribution name: Abubaker and Anwar

Unraveling the functional genes present in rhizosphere microbiomes of Solanum lycopersicum
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The microbiomes living in the rhizosphere soil of the tomato plant contribute immensely to the state of health of the tomato plant alongside improving sustainable agriculture. With the aid of shotgun metagenomics sequencing, we characterized the putative functional genes (plant-growth-promoting and disease-resistant genes) produced by the microbial communities dwelling in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and powdery mildew-diseased tomato plants. The results identified twenty-one (21) plant growth promotion (PGP) genes in the microbiomes inhabiting the healthy rhizosphere (HR) which are more predomiant as compared to diseased rhizosphere (DR) that has nine (9) genes and four (4) genes in bulk soil (BR). Likewise, we identified some disease-resistant genes which include nucleotide binding genes and antimicrobial genes. Our study revealed fifteen (15) genes in HR which made it greater in comparison to DR that has three (3) genes and three (3) genes in bulk soil. Further studies should be conducted by isolating these microorganisms and introduce them to field experiments for cultivation of tomatoes.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Afeez Adesina Adedayo
creator: Ayomide Emmanuel Fadiji
creator: Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Genomics
subject: Microbiology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15432
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Adedayo et al.
abstract: The microbiomes living in the rhizosphere soil of the tomato plant contribute immensely to the state of health of the tomato plant alongside improving sustainable agriculture. With the aid of shotgun metagenomics sequencing, we characterized the putative functional genes (plant-growth-promoting and disease-resistant genes) produced by the microbial communities dwelling in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and powdery mildew-diseased tomato plants. The results identified twenty-one (21) plant growth promotion (PGP) genes in the microbiomes inhabiting the healthy rhizosphere (HR) which are more predomiant as compared to diseased rhizosphere (DR) that has nine (9) genes and four (4) genes in bulk soil (BR). Likewise, we identified some disease-resistant genes which include nucleotide binding genes and antimicrobial genes. Our study revealed fifteen (15) genes in HR which made it greater in comparison to DR that has three (3) genes and three (3) genes in bulk soil. Further studies should be conducted by isolating these microorganisms and introduce them to field experiments for cultivation of tomatoes.
bibliographic citation: Adedayo et al. (2023) Unraveling the functional genes present in rhizosphere microbiomes of Solanum lycopersicum. PeerJ 11:e15432 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15432
date submitted: 2023-02-16
date accepted: 2023-04-26
issued: 2023-06-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Adedayo
  given name: Afeez Adesina
author list: Agent
  family name: Fadiji
  given name: Ayomide Emmanuel
author list: Agent
  family name: Babalola
  given name: Olubukola Oluranti
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15432
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-02
copyright: © 2023 Adedayo et al.
attribution name: Adedayo et al.

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