PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect podocytes from HBx-induced ferroptosis
items: Multi-omics analysis of pyroptosis regulation patterns and characterization of tumor microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
items: Temperament and character in an Australian sample: examining cross-sectional associations of personality with age, sex, and satisfaction with life
items: The role of solar radiation and tidal emersion on oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis in mussels exposed to air
items: The effect of FMT and vitamin C on immunity-related genes in antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice
items: Higher serum β2-microglobulin is a predictive biomarker for cognitive impairment in spinal cord injury
items: Estimating the impact of environmental management on strawberry yield using publicly available agricultural data in South Korea
items: Necked strawberries are especially susceptible to cracking
items: Zinc solubilizing bacteria and their potential as bioinoculant for growth promotion of green soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
items: Precipitation extremes observed over and around the Taklimakan Desert, China

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect podocytes from HBx-induced ferroptosis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Introduction Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN) is a common secondary kidney disease in China, the pathogenesis of which is not completely clear, and there is still a lack of effective treatment. Methods The mechanism of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated by using HBx-transfected human renal podocytes. Cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay. Iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by using commercial kits. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of ferroptosis related molecules was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The effect of miR-223-3p transferred by BMSC-derived exosomes on HBx-overexpressing podocytes was proved by using miR-223-3p inhibitor. Results The cell viability of podocytes reduced at 72 h or 96 h after the transfection of lentivirus overexpressing HBx protein (p < 0.05). Ferroptosis-related proteins, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were down-regulated upon HBx overexpression, while acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was up-regulated (p < 0.05). Intracellular levels of iron, MDA, and ROS were also enhanced (p < 0.05). BMSC-derived exosomes protected against ferroptosis induced by HBx overexpression in podocytes. miR-223-3p was enriched in BMSC-derived exosomes. Application of miR-223-3p inhibitor reversed the protective effect of BMSC-derived exosomes on HBx-induced ferroptosis in podocytes. Conclusion BMSC-derived exosomes inhibit HBx-induced podocyte ferroptosis by transferring miR-223-3p.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiaoqian Yang
creator: Yani Yu
creator: Baoshuang Li
creator: Yueqi Chen
creator: Moxuan Feng
creator: Yongzheng Hu
creator: Wei Jiang
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15314
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Yang et al.
abstract: Introduction Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN) is a common secondary kidney disease in China, the pathogenesis of which is not completely clear, and there is still a lack of effective treatment. Methods The mechanism of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated by using HBx-transfected human renal podocytes. Cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay. Iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by using commercial kits. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of ferroptosis related molecules was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The effect of miR-223-3p transferred by BMSC-derived exosomes on HBx-overexpressing podocytes was proved by using miR-223-3p inhibitor. Results The cell viability of podocytes reduced at 72 h or 96 h after the transfection of lentivirus overexpressing HBx protein (p < 0.05). Ferroptosis-related proteins, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were down-regulated upon HBx overexpression, while acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was up-regulated (p < 0.05). Intracellular levels of iron, MDA, and ROS were also enhanced (p < 0.05). BMSC-derived exosomes protected against ferroptosis induced by HBx overexpression in podocytes. miR-223-3p was enriched in BMSC-derived exosomes. Application of miR-223-3p inhibitor reversed the protective effect of BMSC-derived exosomes on HBx-induced ferroptosis in podocytes. Conclusion BMSC-derived exosomes inhibit HBx-induced podocyte ferroptosis by transferring miR-223-3p.
bibliographic citation: Yang et al. (2023) Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect podocytes from HBx-induced ferroptosis. PeerJ 11:e15314 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15314
date submitted: 2022-12-13
date accepted: 2023-04-06
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Xiaoqian
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Yani
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Baoshuang
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yueqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Moxuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Yongzheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Wei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15314
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: ©2023 Yang et al.
attribution name: Yang et al.

Multi-omics analysis of pyroptosis regulation patterns and characterization of tumor microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignant tumor of the liver, and pyroptosis has been identified as a novel cellular program that plays a role in numerous diseases including cancer. However, the functional role of pyroptosis in HCC remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the two found hub genes and provide targets for clinical treatment. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to collect the gene data and clinically-related information of patients with HCC. After the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, they were intersected with the genes related to pyroptosis, and a risk prediction model was established to predict the overall survival (OS). Subsequently, drug sensitivity analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was used to analyze the biological characteristics of the DEGs. Different immune cell infiltration and related pathways were analyzed, and hub genes were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI). Finally, the expression of hub genes was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Results We conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 8,958 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 37 differentially expressed genes were associated with pyroptosis through intersection. Moreover, we developed an OS model with excellent predictive ability and discovered the differences in biological function, drug sensitivity, and immune microenvironment between high-risk and low-risk groups. Through enrichment analysis, we found that the differentially expressed genes are related to various biological processes. Then, 10 hub genes were identified from protein-protein interaction networks. Finally, midkine (MDK) was s…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bingbing Shang
creator: Ruohan Wang
creator: Haiyan Qiao
creator: Xixi Zhao
creator: Liang Wang
creator: Shaoguang Sui
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Oncology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15340
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Shang et al.
abstract: Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignant tumor of the liver, and pyroptosis has been identified as a novel cellular program that plays a role in numerous diseases including cancer. However, the functional role of pyroptosis in HCC remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the two found hub genes and provide targets for clinical treatment. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to collect the gene data and clinically-related information of patients with HCC. After the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, they were intersected with the genes related to pyroptosis, and a risk prediction model was established to predict the overall survival (OS). Subsequently, drug sensitivity analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was used to analyze the biological characteristics of the DEGs. Different immune cell infiltration and related pathways were analyzed, and hub genes were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI). Finally, the expression of hub genes was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Results We conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 8,958 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 37 differentially expressed genes were associated with pyroptosis through intersection. Moreover, we developed an OS model with excellent predictive ability and discovered the differences in biological function, drug sensitivity, and immune microenvironment between high-risk and low-risk groups. Through enrichment analysis, we found that the differentially expressed genes are related to various biological processes. Then, 10 hub genes were identified from protein-protein interaction networks. Finally, midkine (MDK) was s…
bibliographic citation: Shang et al. (2023) Multi-omics analysis of pyroptosis regulation patterns and characterization of tumor microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 11:e15340 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15340
date submitted: 2023-01-03
date accepted: 2023-04-12
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shang
  given name: Bingbing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ruohan
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiao
  given name: Haiyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Xixi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Liang
author list: Agent
  family name: Sui
  given name: Shaoguang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15340
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: © 2023 Shang et al.
attribution name: Shang et al.

Temperament and character in an Australian sample: examining cross-sectional associations of personality with age, sex, and satisfaction with life
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective Personality can influence how we interpret and react to our day-to-day life circumstances. Temperament and character are the primary dimensions of personality, and both are influenced genetically. Temperament represents our emotional core, while character reflects our goals and values as we develop through life. Research shows that where people live, their social, economic, and physical environment can influence attitudes and behaviors, and these have links to variations in personality traits. There are few studies that focus on Australian personality as temperament and character. Using an Australian general population sample, we examined the psychometric properties of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR140) and investigated the associations between TCIR140 traits with both sociodemographic variables and measures of well-being. In addition, we investigated differences in temperament and character between our Australian general population sample and published results of similar studies from other countries. Methods Australians (N = 1,510) completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR-140), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) examined the TCIR-140 psychometrics. Correlation analyzes, independent sample t-tests and ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons analyzed the sample. Results Cronbach’s alphas were high, ranging from α = 0.78–0.92, and the CFA confirmed two constructs of temperament and character. Females were higher in Harm Avoidance (p < 0.001), Reward Dependence (p < 0.001), and Cooperativeness (p < 0.001) compared to males, who were higher in Self-Directedness (p < 0.001). Age groups showed significant differences among all temperament and character traits (p < 0.001) except for Reward Dependence (p = 0.690). Young adults had the least resilient personality profile and poorest measures of well-being. Correlations with measures of temperament…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Diann S. Eley
creator: Vikas Bansal
creator: C. Robert Cloninger
creator: Janni Leung
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15342
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Eley et al.
abstract: Objective Personality can influence how we interpret and react to our day-to-day life circumstances. Temperament and character are the primary dimensions of personality, and both are influenced genetically. Temperament represents our emotional core, while character reflects our goals and values as we develop through life. Research shows that where people live, their social, economic, and physical environment can influence attitudes and behaviors, and these have links to variations in personality traits. There are few studies that focus on Australian personality as temperament and character. Using an Australian general population sample, we examined the psychometric properties of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR140) and investigated the associations between TCIR140 traits with both sociodemographic variables and measures of well-being. In addition, we investigated differences in temperament and character between our Australian general population sample and published results of similar studies from other countries. Methods Australians (N = 1,510) completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCIR-140), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) examined the TCIR-140 psychometrics. Correlation analyzes, independent sample t-tests and ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons analyzed the sample. Results Cronbach’s alphas were high, ranging from α = 0.78–0.92, and the CFA confirmed two constructs of temperament and character. Females were higher in Harm Avoidance (p < 0.001), Reward Dependence (p < 0.001), and Cooperativeness (p < 0.001) compared to males, who were higher in Self-Directedness (p < 0.001). Age groups showed significant differences among all temperament and character traits (p < 0.001) except for Reward Dependence (p = 0.690). Young adults had the least resilient personality profile and poorest measures of well-being. Correlations with measures of temperament…
bibliographic citation: Eley et al. (2023) Temperament and character in an Australian sample: examining cross-sectional associations of personality with age, sex, and satisfaction with life. PeerJ 11:e15342 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15342
date submitted: 2022-09-19
date accepted: 2023-04-12
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Eley
  given name: Diann S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bansal
  given name: Vikas
author list: Agent
  family name: Cloninger
  given name: C. Robert
author list: Agent
  family name: Leung
  given name: Janni
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15342
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: ©2023 Eley et al.
attribution name: Eley et al.

The role of solar radiation and tidal emersion on oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis in mussels exposed to air
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Preparation for oxidative stress (POS) is a widespread adaptive response to harsh environmental conditions, whose hallmark is the upregulation of antioxidants. In contrast to controlled laboratory settings, animals are exposed to multiple abiotic stressors under natural field conditions. Still, the interplay between different environmental factors in modulating redox metabolism in natural settings remains largely unexplored. Here, we aim to shed light on this topic by assessing changes in redox metabolism in the mussel Brachidontes solisianus naturally exposed to a tidal cycle. We compared the redox biochemical response of mussels under six different natural conditions in the field along two consecutive days. These conditions differ in terms of chronology, immersion/emersion, and solar radiation, but not in terms of temperature. Animals were collected after being exposed to air early morning (7:30), immersed during late morning and afternoon (8:45–15:30), and then exposed to air again late afternoon towards evening (17:45–21:25), in two days. Whole body homogenates were used to measure the activity of antioxidant (catalase, glutathione transferase and glutathione reductase) and metabolic (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase) enzymes, reduced (GSH) and disulfide (GSSG) glutathione levels, and oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Air and water temperature remained stable between 22.5 °C and 26 °C during both days. Global solar radiation (GSR) greatly differed between days, with a cumulative GSR of 15,381 kJ/m2 for day 1 and 5,489 kJ/m2 for day 2, whose peaks were 2,240 kJ/m2/h at 14:00 on day 1 and 952 kJ/m2/h at 12:00 on day 2. Compared with animals underwater, emersion during early morning did not elicit any alteration in redox biomarkers in both days. Air exposure for 4 h in the late afternoon towards evening caused oxidative damage to proteins and …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Daniel C. Moreira
creator: Marcus Aurélio da Costa Tavares Sabino
creator: Marina Minari
creator: Felipe Torres Brasil Kuzniewski
creator: Ronaldo Angelini
creator: Marcelo Hermes-Lima
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15345
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Moreira et al.
abstract: Preparation for oxidative stress (POS) is a widespread adaptive response to harsh environmental conditions, whose hallmark is the upregulation of antioxidants. In contrast to controlled laboratory settings, animals are exposed to multiple abiotic stressors under natural field conditions. Still, the interplay between different environmental factors in modulating redox metabolism in natural settings remains largely unexplored. Here, we aim to shed light on this topic by assessing changes in redox metabolism in the mussel Brachidontes solisianus naturally exposed to a tidal cycle. We compared the redox biochemical response of mussels under six different natural conditions in the field along two consecutive days. These conditions differ in terms of chronology, immersion/emersion, and solar radiation, but not in terms of temperature. Animals were collected after being exposed to air early morning (7:30), immersed during late morning and afternoon (8:45–15:30), and then exposed to air again late afternoon towards evening (17:45–21:25), in two days. Whole body homogenates were used to measure the activity of antioxidant (catalase, glutathione transferase and glutathione reductase) and metabolic (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase) enzymes, reduced (GSH) and disulfide (GSSG) glutathione levels, and oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Air and water temperature remained stable between 22.5 °C and 26 °C during both days. Global solar radiation (GSR) greatly differed between days, with a cumulative GSR of 15,381 kJ/m2 for day 1 and 5,489 kJ/m2 for day 2, whose peaks were 2,240 kJ/m2/h at 14:00 on day 1 and 952 kJ/m2/h at 12:00 on day 2. Compared with animals underwater, emersion during early morning did not elicit any alteration in redox biomarkers in both days. Air exposure for 4 h in the late afternoon towards evening caused oxidative damage to proteins and …
bibliographic citation: Moreira et al. (2023) The role of solar radiation and tidal emersion on oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis in mussels exposed to air. PeerJ 11:e15345 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15345
date submitted: 2022-12-20
date accepted: 2023-04-12
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Moreira
  given name: Daniel C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aurélio da Costa Tavares Sabino
  given name: Marcus
author list: Agent
  family name: Minari
  given name: Marina
author list: Agent
  family name: Torres Brasil Kuzniewski
  given name: Felipe
author list: Agent
  family name: Angelini
  given name: Ronaldo
author list: Agent
  family name: Hermes-Lima
  given name: Marcelo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15345
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: ©2023 Moreira et al.
attribution name: Moreira et al.

The effect of FMT and vitamin C on immunity-related genes in antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Antibiotics are double-edged swords. Although antibiotics are used to inhibit pathogenic bacteria, they also run the risk of destroying some of the healthy bacteria in our bodies. We examined the effect of penicillin on the organism through a microarray dataset, after which 12 genes related to immuno-inflammatory pathways were selected by reading the literature and validated using neomycin and ampicillin. The expression of genes was measured using qRT-PCR. Several genes were significantly overexpressed in antibiotic-treated mice, including CD74 and SAA2 in intestinal tissues that remained extremely expressed after natural recovery. Moreover, transplantation of fecal microbiota from healthy mice to antibiotic-treated mice was made, where GZMB, CD3G, H2-AA, PSMB9, CD74, and SAA1 were greatly expressed; however, SAA2 was downregulated and normal expression was restored, and in liver tissue, SAA1, SAA2, SAA3 were extremely expressed. After the addition of vitamin C, which has positive effects in several aspects, to the fecal microbiota transplantation, in the intestinal tissues, the genes that were highly expressed after the fecal microbiota transplantation effectively reduced their expression, and the unaffected genes remained normally expressed, but the CD74 gene remained highly expressed. In liver tissues, normally expressed genes were not affected, but the expression of SAA1 was reduced and the expression of SAA3 was increased. In other words, fecal microbiota transplantation did not necessarily bring about a positive effect of gene expression restoration, but the addition of vitamin C effectively reduced the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation and regulated the balance of the immune system.
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format: text/html
creator: Xiaorong Huang
creator: Yv Zhang
creator: Junsong Huang
creator: Wenli Gao
creator: Xie Yongfang
creator: Chuisheng Zeng
creator: Chao Gao
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Toxicology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15356
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Huang et al.
abstract: Antibiotics are double-edged swords. Although antibiotics are used to inhibit pathogenic bacteria, they also run the risk of destroying some of the healthy bacteria in our bodies. We examined the effect of penicillin on the organism through a microarray dataset, after which 12 genes related to immuno-inflammatory pathways were selected by reading the literature and validated using neomycin and ampicillin. The expression of genes was measured using qRT-PCR. Several genes were significantly overexpressed in antibiotic-treated mice, including CD74 and SAA2 in intestinal tissues that remained extremely expressed after natural recovery. Moreover, transplantation of fecal microbiota from healthy mice to antibiotic-treated mice was made, where GZMB, CD3G, H2-AA, PSMB9, CD74, and SAA1 were greatly expressed; however, SAA2 was downregulated and normal expression was restored, and in liver tissue, SAA1, SAA2, SAA3 were extremely expressed. After the addition of vitamin C, which has positive effects in several aspects, to the fecal microbiota transplantation, in the intestinal tissues, the genes that were highly expressed after the fecal microbiota transplantation effectively reduced their expression, and the unaffected genes remained normally expressed, but the CD74 gene remained highly expressed. In liver tissues, normally expressed genes were not affected, but the expression of SAA1 was reduced and the expression of SAA3 was increased. In other words, fecal microbiota transplantation did not necessarily bring about a positive effect of gene expression restoration, but the addition of vitamin C effectively reduced the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation and regulated the balance of the immune system.
bibliographic citation: Huang et al. (2023) The effect of FMT and vitamin C on immunity-related genes in antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice. PeerJ 11:e15356 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15356
date submitted: 2022-10-11
date accepted: 2023-04-14
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Xiaorong
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yv
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Junsong
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Wenli
author list: Agent
  family name: Yongfang
  given name: Xie
author list: Agent
  family name: Zeng
  given name: Chuisheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Chao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15356
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: ©2023 Huang et al.
attribution name: Huang et al.

Higher serum β2-microglobulin is a predictive biomarker for cognitive impairment in spinal cord injury
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective Recent studies have suggested that high levels of β2-microglobulin are linked to cognitive deterioration; however, it is unclear how this connects to spinal cord injury (SCI). This study sought to determine whether there was any association between cognitive decline and serum β2-microglobulin levels in patients with SCI. Methods A total of 96 patients with SCI and 56 healthy volunteers were enrolled as study participants. At the time of enrollment, specific baseline data including age, gender, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), smoking, and alcohol use were recorded. Each participant was assessed by a qualified physician using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale. Serum β2-microglobulin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reagent for β2-microglobulin. Results A total of 152 participants were enrolled, with 56 in the control group and 96 in the SCI group. There were no significant baseline data differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). The control group had a MoCA score of 27.4 ± 1.1 and the SCI group had a score of 24.3 ± 1.5, with the difference being significant (p < 0.05). The serum ELISA results revealed that the levels of β2-microglobulin in the SCI group were considerably higher (p < 0.05) than those in the control group (2.08 ± 0.17 g/mL compared to 1.57 ± 0.11 g/mL). The serum β2-microglobulin level was used to categorize the patients with SCI into four groups. As serum β2-microglobulin levels increased, the MoCA score reduced (p < 0.05). After adjustment of baseline data, further regression analysis showed that serum β2-microglobulin level remained an independent risk factor for post-SCI cognitive impairment. Conclusions Patients with SCI had higher serum levels of β2-microglobulin, which may be a biomarker for cognitive decline following SCI.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhonghao Cui
creator: Shuai Wang
creator: Yanke Hao
creator: Yuanzhen Chen
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Hematology
subject: Immunology
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15372
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Cui et al.
abstract: Objective Recent studies have suggested that high levels of β2-microglobulin are linked to cognitive deterioration; however, it is unclear how this connects to spinal cord injury (SCI). This study sought to determine whether there was any association between cognitive decline and serum β2-microglobulin levels in patients with SCI. Methods A total of 96 patients with SCI and 56 healthy volunteers were enrolled as study participants. At the time of enrollment, specific baseline data including age, gender, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), smoking, and alcohol use were recorded. Each participant was assessed by a qualified physician using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale. Serum β2-microglobulin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reagent for β2-microglobulin. Results A total of 152 participants were enrolled, with 56 in the control group and 96 in the SCI group. There were no significant baseline data differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). The control group had a MoCA score of 27.4 ± 1.1 and the SCI group had a score of 24.3 ± 1.5, with the difference being significant (p < 0.05). The serum ELISA results revealed that the levels of β2-microglobulin in the SCI group were considerably higher (p < 0.05) than those in the control group (2.08 ± 0.17 g/mL compared to 1.57 ± 0.11 g/mL). The serum β2-microglobulin level was used to categorize the patients with SCI into four groups. As serum β2-microglobulin levels increased, the MoCA score reduced (p < 0.05). After adjustment of baseline data, further regression analysis showed that serum β2-microglobulin level remained an independent risk factor for post-SCI cognitive impairment. Conclusions Patients with SCI had higher serum levels of β2-microglobulin, which may be a biomarker for cognitive decline following SCI.
bibliographic citation: Cui et al. (2023) Higher serum β2-microglobulin is a predictive biomarker for cognitive impairment in spinal cord injury. PeerJ 11:e15372 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15372
date submitted: 2023-02-28
date accepted: 2023-04-18
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cui
  given name: Zhonghao
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Shuai
author list: Agent
  family name: Hao
  given name: Yanke
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yuanzhen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15372
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: © 2023 Cui et al.
attribution name: Cui et al.

Estimating the impact of environmental management on strawberry yield using publicly available agricultural data in South Korea
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made data collection more efficient for agricultural studies. Using publicly available database in South Korea, we estimated the relationship between the management of air temperature and relative humidity and the strawberry yield during two harvest seasons. Longitudinal data of multiple greenhouses were merged and processed, and mixed-effects models were applied to account both observed and unobserved factors across the greenhouses. The averages of air temperature and relative humidity inside each greenhouse do not take volatility of the time-varying variables into consideration, so we assessed the management of each greenhouse by the percent of time that air temperature between 15 °C and 20 °C (denoted as T%) and the percent of time that relative humidity between 0% and 50% (denoted by H%). The statistical models estimated that the strawberry yield decreases with respect to the number of days since harvest began and the rate of decrease is slower when T% and H% are higher. This study used large-scale multilocation data to provide the practical suggestion that air temperature and relative humidity should be maintained within the optimal ranges to mitigate the loss of strawberry yield especially at the later phase of a harvest season.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Steven Kim
creator: Jung Su Jo
creator: Vicky Luk
creator: Sung Kyeom Kim
creator: Dong Sub Kim
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15390
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Kim et al.
abstract: Advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made data collection more efficient for agricultural studies. Using publicly available database in South Korea, we estimated the relationship between the management of air temperature and relative humidity and the strawberry yield during two harvest seasons. Longitudinal data of multiple greenhouses were merged and processed, and mixed-effects models were applied to account both observed and unobserved factors across the greenhouses. The averages of air temperature and relative humidity inside each greenhouse do not take volatility of the time-varying variables into consideration, so we assessed the management of each greenhouse by the percent of time that air temperature between 15 °C and 20 °C (denoted as T%) and the percent of time that relative humidity between 0% and 50% (denoted by H%). The statistical models estimated that the strawberry yield decreases with respect to the number of days since harvest began and the rate of decrease is slower when T% and H% are higher. This study used large-scale multilocation data to provide the practical suggestion that air temperature and relative humidity should be maintained within the optimal ranges to mitigate the loss of strawberry yield especially at the later phase of a harvest season.
bibliographic citation: Kim et al. (2023) Estimating the impact of environmental management on strawberry yield using publicly available agricultural data in South Korea. PeerJ 11:e15390 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15390
date submitted: 2023-02-09
date accepted: 2023-04-19
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kim
  given name: Steven
author list: Agent
  family name: Jo
  given name: Jung Su
author list: Agent
  family name: Luk
  given name: Vicky
author list: Agent
  family name: Kim
  given name: Sung Kyeom
author list: Agent
  family name: Kim
  given name: Dong Sub
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15390
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: © 2023 Kim et al.
attribution name: Kim et al.

Necked strawberries are especially susceptible to cracking
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Fruit cracking is a commercially important disorder that reduces both quantity and quality of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The objective was to identify the physiological mechanism of cracking and the factors affecting cracking. Cracking is more common in necked than in normal-shaped fruit. Most macroscopic cracks (‘macrocracks’) occur in the seedless neck. Large fruit is more cracking susceptible than medium size or small fruit. Macrocrack orientation is predominantly latitudinal in the proximal region of the neck and longitudinal in the mid and distal regions of the neck. The neck region of necked fruit has a thicker cuticle than the body of necked or normal-shaped fruit. The vascular bundles in the neck (seedless) are orientated longitudinally, while those in the body (with seeds) are both longitudinal and radial. Epidermal cells in the neck region are elongated longitudinally, with those in the proximal region of the neck being more elongated than those in the mid or distal regions of the neck. Cuticular microcracking was more severe in necked fruit than in normal-shaped fruit. The orientations of the microcracks matched those of the macrocracks, i.e., latitudinal in the proximal neck and longitudinal in the mid and distal neck regions. Following artificial incisions (blade), gaping was significantly more pronounced in necked than in normal-shaped fruit. Incubation of fruit in deionized water induced macrocracks in about 75% of fruit. Necked fruit cracked more than normal-shaped fruit. Most macrocracks were oriented latitudinally in the proximal neck and longitudinally in the distal neck regions. The results indicate cracking results from excessive growth strains which are further increased by surface water uptake.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Grecia Hurtado
creator: Moritz Knoche
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15402
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Hurtado and Knoche
abstract: Fruit cracking is a commercially important disorder that reduces both quantity and quality of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The objective was to identify the physiological mechanism of cracking and the factors affecting cracking. Cracking is more common in necked than in normal-shaped fruit. Most macroscopic cracks (‘macrocracks’) occur in the seedless neck. Large fruit is more cracking susceptible than medium size or small fruit. Macrocrack orientation is predominantly latitudinal in the proximal region of the neck and longitudinal in the mid and distal regions of the neck. The neck region of necked fruit has a thicker cuticle than the body of necked or normal-shaped fruit. The vascular bundles in the neck (seedless) are orientated longitudinally, while those in the body (with seeds) are both longitudinal and radial. Epidermal cells in the neck region are elongated longitudinally, with those in the proximal region of the neck being more elongated than those in the mid or distal regions of the neck. Cuticular microcracking was more severe in necked fruit than in normal-shaped fruit. The orientations of the microcracks matched those of the macrocracks, i.e., latitudinal in the proximal neck and longitudinal in the mid and distal neck regions. Following artificial incisions (blade), gaping was significantly more pronounced in necked than in normal-shaped fruit. Incubation of fruit in deionized water induced macrocracks in about 75% of fruit. Necked fruit cracked more than normal-shaped fruit. Most macrocracks were oriented latitudinally in the proximal neck and longitudinally in the distal neck regions. The results indicate cracking results from excessive growth strains which are further increased by surface water uptake.
bibliographic citation: Hurtado et al. (2023) Necked strawberries are especially susceptible to cracking. PeerJ 11:e15402 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15402
date submitted: 2023-01-30
date accepted: 2023-04-20
issued: 2023-05-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hurtado
  given name: Grecia
author list: Agent
  family name: Knoche
  given name: Moritz
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15402
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-11
copyright: © 2023 Hurtado and Knoche
attribution name: Hurtado and Knoche

Zinc solubilizing bacteria and their potential as bioinoculant for growth promotion of green soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Zinc-solubilizing rhizobacteria can convert insoluble zinc to an accessible form and increase Zn bioavailability in soil, which help mitigate Zn deficiency in crops. In this work, 121 bacterial isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of peanuts, sweet potatoes, and cassava, and their capability to solubilize Zn was evaluated using Bunt and Rovira’s agar containing 0.1% ZnO and ZnCO3. Among these isolates, six showed high Zn solubilization efficiencies ranging from 1.32 to 2.84 and 1.93 to 2.27 on the medium supplemented with 0.1% ZnO and ZnCO3, respectively. In a quantitative analysis of soluble Zn in liquid medium supplemented with 0.1% ZnO, the isolate KAH109 showed the maximum soluble zinc concentration of 62.89 mg L−1. Among the six isolates, the isolate KAH109 also produced the most indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 33.44 mg L−1, whereas the isolate KEX505 also produced IAA at 17.24 mg L−1 along with showing zinc and potassium solubilization activity. These strains were identified as Priestia megaterium KAH109 and Priestia aryabhattai KEX505 based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In a greenhouse experiment conducted in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand the ability of P. megaterium KAH109 and P. aryabhattai KEX505 to stimulate the growth and production of green soybeans was examined. The results revealed that inoculation with P. megaterium KAH109 and P. aryabhattai KEX505 considerably increased plant dry weight by 26.96% and 8.79%, respectively, and the number of grains per plant by 48.97% and 35.29% when compared to those of the uninoculated control. According to these results, both strains can be considered as a potential zinc solubilizing bioinoculant to promote the growth and production yield of green soybeans.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Moltira Srithaworn
creator: Jieb Jaroenthanyakorn
creator: Janpen Tangjitjaroenkun
creator: Chanwit Suriyachadkun
creator: Orawan Chunhachart
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15128
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Srithaworn et al.
abstract: Zinc-solubilizing rhizobacteria can convert insoluble zinc to an accessible form and increase Zn bioavailability in soil, which help mitigate Zn deficiency in crops. In this work, 121 bacterial isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of peanuts, sweet potatoes, and cassava, and their capability to solubilize Zn was evaluated using Bunt and Rovira’s agar containing 0.1% ZnO and ZnCO3. Among these isolates, six showed high Zn solubilization efficiencies ranging from 1.32 to 2.84 and 1.93 to 2.27 on the medium supplemented with 0.1% ZnO and ZnCO3, respectively. In a quantitative analysis of soluble Zn in liquid medium supplemented with 0.1% ZnO, the isolate KAH109 showed the maximum soluble zinc concentration of 62.89 mg L−1. Among the six isolates, the isolate KAH109 also produced the most indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 33.44 mg L−1, whereas the isolate KEX505 also produced IAA at 17.24 mg L−1 along with showing zinc and potassium solubilization activity. These strains were identified as Priestia megaterium KAH109 and Priestia aryabhattai KEX505 based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In a greenhouse experiment conducted in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand the ability of P. megaterium KAH109 and P. aryabhattai KEX505 to stimulate the growth and production of green soybeans was examined. The results revealed that inoculation with P. megaterium KAH109 and P. aryabhattai KEX505 considerably increased plant dry weight by 26.96% and 8.79%, respectively, and the number of grains per plant by 48.97% and 35.29% when compared to those of the uninoculated control. According to these results, both strains can be considered as a potential zinc solubilizing bioinoculant to promote the growth and production yield of green soybeans.
bibliographic citation: Srithaworn et al. (2023) Zinc solubilizing bacteria and their potential as bioinoculant for growth promotion of green soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). PeerJ 11:e15128 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15128
date submitted: 2022-09-15
date accepted: 2023-03-04
issued: 2023-05-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Srithaworn
  given name: Moltira
author list: Agent
  family name: Jaroenthanyakorn
  given name: Jieb
author list: Agent
  family name: Tangjitjaroenkun
  given name: Janpen
author list: Agent
  family name: Suriyachadkun
  given name: Chanwit
author list: Agent
  family name: Chunhachart
  given name: Orawan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15128
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-10
copyright: ©2023 Srithaworn et al.
attribution name: Srithaworn et al.

Precipitation extremes observed over and around the Taklimakan Desert, China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Taklimakan Desert (TD) is the largest desert in China located in the Tarim Basin (TB) in China’s arid region. This study is a review of the change in precipitation and its extremes since 1961 and the high-impact extreme precipitation events in 2012–2021, particularly in 2021, with a focus on the TD along with the surrounding oases and mountainous regions.The TB has experienced significantly warmer and wetter trends since 1961, and extreme rainfall has increased significantly in the TD and its surrounding areas during the 2000s. In the TB, the year 2021 was identified as the 4th warmest for 1961–2021, and was remembered for unprecedented extreme events. Three high-impact extreme events that occurred in 2021 are highlighted, including extreme heavy rainfall over Hetian in mid-June. The earliest extreme rainfall event occurred over North Bazhou in early spring, and the strongest heavy snowfall over Baicheng in April. In addition, we also discussed the underlying physical mechanisms of extreme events over the TB and proposed novel perspectives and unresolved questions on the sciences of heavy rainfall in arid regions. Our results provide a reference for the physical mechanism, attribution, and high-resolution modeling of extreme events.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Moyan Li
creator: Junqiang Yao
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15256
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Li and Yao
abstract: The Taklimakan Desert (TD) is the largest desert in China located in the Tarim Basin (TB) in China’s arid region. This study is a review of the change in precipitation and its extremes since 1961 and the high-impact extreme precipitation events in 2012–2021, particularly in 2021, with a focus on the TD along with the surrounding oases and mountainous regions.The TB has experienced significantly warmer and wetter trends since 1961, and extreme rainfall has increased significantly in the TD and its surrounding areas during the 2000s. In the TB, the year 2021 was identified as the 4th warmest for 1961–2021, and was remembered for unprecedented extreme events. Three high-impact extreme events that occurred in 2021 are highlighted, including extreme heavy rainfall over Hetian in mid-June. The earliest extreme rainfall event occurred over North Bazhou in early spring, and the strongest heavy snowfall over Baicheng in April. In addition, we also discussed the underlying physical mechanisms of extreme events over the TB and proposed novel perspectives and unresolved questions on the sciences of heavy rainfall in arid regions. Our results provide a reference for the physical mechanism, attribution, and high-resolution modeling of extreme events.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2023) Precipitation extremes observed over and around the Taklimakan Desert, China. PeerJ 11:e15256 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15256
date submitted: 2022-11-17
date accepted: 2023-03-28
issued: 2023-05-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Moyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Yao
  given name: Junqiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15256
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-05-10
copyright: ©2023 Li and Yao
attribution name: Li and Yao

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