PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Physical fitness changes in adolescents due to social distancing during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Korea
items: Genetic diversity of Venturia inaequalis isolates from the scabs in apple trees in Gansu Province, China, using AFLP markers
items: Metal tolerance capacity and antioxidant responses of new Salix spp. clones in a combined Cd-Pb polluted system
items: Effect of hyperglycemia on the immune function of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective study
items: Mitochondria and chloroplasts function in microalgae energy production
items: Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
items: Impacts of river fragmentation on limiting individual dietary specialization of Amazonian predatory fish
items: Neospongodes atlantica, a potential case of an early biological introduction in the Southwestern Atlantic
items: Using a real-world network to model the trade-off between stay-at-home restriction, vaccination, social distancing and working hours on COVID-19 dynamics
items: Prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Physical fitness changes in adolescents due to social distancing during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Korea
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background At least 60 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per day is recommended for physical and mental health of adolescents. Schools are one of the most suitable places for promoting students’ health as it is a place where vigorous physical activity occurs. However, the physical activity of students is threatened because schools are closed worldwide owing to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the physical fitness changes in 27,782 Korean adolescents during the pandemic and present alternative education and health policies to the school. Methods We included 29,882 middle school students (age: 13–15 years; males: 14,941, females: 12,841) in Korea from 2019 to 2021 . Participants’ physical fitness at school was measured using the physical activity promotion system (PAPS) manual developed to measure students’ physical fitness. Physical fitness variables included body mass index (BMI), 20 m shuttle run, handgrip strength, sit-and-reach, and 50 m run. Results The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the BMI and cardiorespiratory endurance of Korean middle school students. Specifically, male students’ BMI increased, while body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, and grip strength decreased significantly. Female students showed significant decreases in BMI and sit-and-reach test scores. It is clear that the physical fitness level of adolescents decreased by a greater degree after the COVID-19 pandemic than before, and the decrease in the physical fitness level of male students was noticeable. Therefore, a lesson strategy should be prepared that considers the contents and methods of physical education classes to improve the physical fitness level of male and female adolescents. Conclusions Fitness-based classes suitable for online methods should be urgently added as alternative physical education classes to prepare for the second COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, it is necessary to create an e…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kwang-Jin Lee
creator: Se-Young Seon
creator: Byungjoo Noh
creator: Keun-Ok An
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Public Health
subject: Obesity
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14494
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Lee et al.
abstract: Background At least 60 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per day is recommended for physical and mental health of adolescents. Schools are one of the most suitable places for promoting students’ health as it is a place where vigorous physical activity occurs. However, the physical activity of students is threatened because schools are closed worldwide owing to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the physical fitness changes in 27,782 Korean adolescents during the pandemic and present alternative education and health policies to the school. Methods We included 29,882 middle school students (age: 13–15 years; males: 14,941, females: 12,841) in Korea from 2019 to 2021 . Participants’ physical fitness at school was measured using the physical activity promotion system (PAPS) manual developed to measure students’ physical fitness. Physical fitness variables included body mass index (BMI), 20 m shuttle run, handgrip strength, sit-and-reach, and 50 m run. Results The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the BMI and cardiorespiratory endurance of Korean middle school students. Specifically, male students’ BMI increased, while body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, and grip strength decreased significantly. Female students showed significant decreases in BMI and sit-and-reach test scores. It is clear that the physical fitness level of adolescents decreased by a greater degree after the COVID-19 pandemic than before, and the decrease in the physical fitness level of male students was noticeable. Therefore, a lesson strategy should be prepared that considers the contents and methods of physical education classes to improve the physical fitness level of male and female adolescents. Conclusions Fitness-based classes suitable for online methods should be urgently added as alternative physical education classes to prepare for the second COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, it is necessary to create an e…
bibliographic citation: Lee et al. (2022) Physical fitness changes in adolescents due to social distancing during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Korea. PeerJ 10:e14494 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14494
date submitted: 2022-07-22
date accepted: 2022-11-09
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lee
  given name: Kwang-Jin
author list: Agent
  family name: Seon
  given name: Se-Young
author list: Agent
  family name: Noh
  given name: Byungjoo
author list: Agent
  family name: An
  given name: Keun-Ok
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14494
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: ©2022 Lee et al.
attribution name: Lee et al.

Genetic diversity of Venturia inaequalis isolates from the scabs in apple trees in Gansu Province, China, using AFLP markers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Apple scab is a serious disease that restricts the growth of cultivated apples. The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic variations and genetic structure of Venturia inaequalis in Gansu Province, China. 108 isolates of the pathogen V. inaequalis from the Jingning, Lingtai, Jingchuan, Xifeng, Ning and Maiji regions were collected, and their genetic diversity was analyzed using AFLP molecular marker technique. The results showed that genetic diversity was present among the isolates but was not statistically significant. Genetic distance values ranged from 0.0095 to 0.0762. Cluster analysis results showed that the 108 isolates could be divided into two clusters using a similarity coefficient of 0.69. A total of 104 isolates were contained in cluster I while four isolates were contained in Cluster II. From the AMOVA analysis, 98% of variations were observed within the same region, while 2% were observed across different regions. The analysis of population structure showed that 108 isolates had two common ancestors, with the Jingning isolates mainly being derived from the red ancestor. PCoA analysis showed that the Jingning isolates were independent to a certain extent. The different geographical location caused the genetic difference of the isolates. The genetic diversity of apple scab in Gansu Province is greatly aided by this work, which also offers a theoretical foundation for the use of molecular markers in assisted breeding to create novel resistant types.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhaolong Lü
creator: Nana Hui
creator: Li Wang
creator: Guo Zheng
creator: Senshan Wang
creator: Jiping Li
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Mycology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14512
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Lü et al.
abstract: Apple scab is a serious disease that restricts the growth of cultivated apples. The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic variations and genetic structure of Venturia inaequalis in Gansu Province, China. 108 isolates of the pathogen V. inaequalis from the Jingning, Lingtai, Jingchuan, Xifeng, Ning and Maiji regions were collected, and their genetic diversity was analyzed using AFLP molecular marker technique. The results showed that genetic diversity was present among the isolates but was not statistically significant. Genetic distance values ranged from 0.0095 to 0.0762. Cluster analysis results showed that the 108 isolates could be divided into two clusters using a similarity coefficient of 0.69. A total of 104 isolates were contained in cluster I while four isolates were contained in Cluster II. From the AMOVA analysis, 98% of variations were observed within the same region, while 2% were observed across different regions. The analysis of population structure showed that 108 isolates had two common ancestors, with the Jingning isolates mainly being derived from the red ancestor. PCoA analysis showed that the Jingning isolates were independent to a certain extent. The different geographical location caused the genetic difference of the isolates. The genetic diversity of apple scab in Gansu Province is greatly aided by this work, which also offers a theoretical foundation for the use of molecular markers in assisted breeding to create novel resistant types.
bibliographic citation: Lü et al. (2022) Genetic diversity of Venturia inaequalis isolates from the scabs in apple trees in Gansu Province, China, using AFLP markers. PeerJ 10:e14512 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14512
date submitted: 2022-09-26
date accepted: 2022-11-14
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lü
  given name: Zhaolong
author list: Agent
  family name: Hui
  given name: Nana
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Guo
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Senshan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jiping
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14512
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: ©2022 Lü et al.
attribution name: Lü et al.

Metal tolerance capacity and antioxidant responses of new Salix spp. clones in a combined Cd-Pb polluted system
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: To investigate the physiochemical characteristics of two new clones, Salix matsudana ‘J172’ (A7) and Salix matsudana ‘Yankang1’ (A64) in combined Cd-Pb contaminated systems, a hydroponic experiment was designed. The plant biomass, photosynthesis, antioxidant responses and the accumulation of metals in different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) were measured after 35-day treatments with Cd (15, 30 µM) and Pb (250, 500 µM). The results showed that exposure to Cd-Pb decreased the biomass but increased the net photosynthetic rate for both A7 and A64, demonstrating that photosynthesis may be one of the metabolic processes used to resist Cd-Pb stress. Compared with control, roots exposed to Cd-Pb had higher activity of superoxide dismutase and more malondialdehyde concentrations, which indicated the roots of both clones were apt to be damaged. The concentrations of soluble protein were obviously higher in the roots of A64 than A7, indicating the roles of the antioxidative substance were different between two willow clones. Soluble protein also had significant relationship with translocation factors from accumulation in roots of A64, which illustrated it played important roles in the tolerance of A64 roots to heavy metals. The roots could accumulate more Pb rather than transport to the shoots compared with Cd. The tolerance index was more than 85% on average for both clones under all the treatments, indicating their tolerance capacities to the combined stress of Cd and Pb are strong under the tested metal levels. Both clones are the good candidates for phytoremediation of Cd and Pb by the root filtration in the combined contamination environment.
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format: text/html
creator: Chuanfeng Zhang
creator: Baoshan Yang
creator: Hui Wang
creator: Xiaohan Xu
creator: Jiaxing Shi
creator: Guanghua Qin
subject: Ecotoxicology
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14521
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zhang et al.
abstract: To investigate the physiochemical characteristics of two new clones, Salix matsudana ‘J172’ (A7) and Salix matsudana ‘Yankang1’ (A64) in combined Cd-Pb contaminated systems, a hydroponic experiment was designed. The plant biomass, photosynthesis, antioxidant responses and the accumulation of metals in different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) were measured after 35-day treatments with Cd (15, 30 µM) and Pb (250, 500 µM). The results showed that exposure to Cd-Pb decreased the biomass but increased the net photosynthetic rate for both A7 and A64, demonstrating that photosynthesis may be one of the metabolic processes used to resist Cd-Pb stress. Compared with control, roots exposed to Cd-Pb had higher activity of superoxide dismutase and more malondialdehyde concentrations, which indicated the roots of both clones were apt to be damaged. The concentrations of soluble protein were obviously higher in the roots of A64 than A7, indicating the roles of the antioxidative substance were different between two willow clones. Soluble protein also had significant relationship with translocation factors from accumulation in roots of A64, which illustrated it played important roles in the tolerance of A64 roots to heavy metals. The roots could accumulate more Pb rather than transport to the shoots compared with Cd. The tolerance index was more than 85% on average for both clones under all the treatments, indicating their tolerance capacities to the combined stress of Cd and Pb are strong under the tested metal levels. Both clones are the good candidates for phytoremediation of Cd and Pb by the root filtration in the combined contamination environment.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2022) Metal tolerance capacity and antioxidant responses of new Salix spp. clones in a combined Cd-Pb polluted system. PeerJ 10:e14521 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14521
date submitted: 2022-07-22
date accepted: 2022-11-15
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Chuanfeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Baoshan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Xiaohan
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Jiaxing
author list: Agent
  family name: Qin
  given name: Guanghua
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14521
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: ©2022 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Effect of hyperglycemia on the immune function of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose To analyze the clinical characteristics and immune function parameters and to explore the effect of hyperglycemia on the immune function in patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This retrospective study included patients with COVID-19 with T2DM hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between January 31, 2020, and February 10, 2020. The clinical data were collected and patients were divided into a well-controlled group (blood glucose 3.9–10.0 mmol/L) and a poorly-controlled group (blood glucose >10.0 mmol/L). The differences in routine blood tests, peripheral lymphocyte subsets, humoral immune components, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and cytokines were compared, and the correlation between blood glucose and immune parameters as well as the severity of the disease was analyzed. Results A total of 65 patients with COVID-19 and T2DM were included in the final analysis. Compared with the well-controlled group, patients in the poorly-controlled group had decreased lymphocytes, CD16+ 56+ NK cells, CD3+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and increased neutrophil percentage, IL-6 levels, CRP levels and serum concentration of IgA. Blood glucose was inversely correlated with CD16+ 56+ NK cells, CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells and positively correlated with IL-6 and CRP levels. There was a positive correlation between blood glucose and the severity of the COVID-19. Conclusion Hyperglycemia will aggravate the immune dysfunction of COVID-19 patients with T2DM and affect the severity of COVID-19.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ye Wang
creator: Bo Yi
creator: Shujun Wang
creator: Xiaolin Chen
creator: Zhongyuan Wen
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Immunology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Internal Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14570
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Wang et al.
abstract: Purpose To analyze the clinical characteristics and immune function parameters and to explore the effect of hyperglycemia on the immune function in patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This retrospective study included patients with COVID-19 with T2DM hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between January 31, 2020, and February 10, 2020. The clinical data were collected and patients were divided into a well-controlled group (blood glucose 3.9–10.0 mmol/L) and a poorly-controlled group (blood glucose >10.0 mmol/L). The differences in routine blood tests, peripheral lymphocyte subsets, humoral immune components, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and cytokines were compared, and the correlation between blood glucose and immune parameters as well as the severity of the disease was analyzed. Results A total of 65 patients with COVID-19 and T2DM were included in the final analysis. Compared with the well-controlled group, patients in the poorly-controlled group had decreased lymphocytes, CD16+ 56+ NK cells, CD3+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and increased neutrophil percentage, IL-6 levels, CRP levels and serum concentration of IgA. Blood glucose was inversely correlated with CD16+ 56+ NK cells, CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells and positively correlated with IL-6 and CRP levels. There was a positive correlation between blood glucose and the severity of the COVID-19. Conclusion Hyperglycemia will aggravate the immune dysfunction of COVID-19 patients with T2DM and affect the severity of COVID-19.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2022) Effect of hyperglycemia on the immune function of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective study. PeerJ 10:e14570 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14570
date submitted: 2021-06-08
date accepted: 2022-11-28
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ye
author list: Agent
  family name: Yi
  given name: Bo
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Shujun
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiaolin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Zhongyuan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14570
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: © 2022 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Mitochondria and chloroplasts function in microalgae energy production
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Microalgae are organisms that have the ability to perform photosynthesis, capturing CO2 from the atmosphere to produce different metabolites such as vitamins, sugars, lipids, among others, many of them with different biotechnological applications. Recently, these microorganisms have been widely studied due to their possible use to obtain clean energy. It has been postulated that the growth of microalgae and the production of high-energy metabolites depend on the correct function of cellular organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Thus, the development of different genetic tools to improve the function of these organelles is of high scientific and technological interest. In this paper we review the recent advances in microalgae engineering and the role of cellular organelles in order to increase cell productivity and biomass.
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format: text/html
creator: Diego F. Gomez-Casati
creator: Julieta Barchiesi
creator: Maria V. Busi
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14576
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Gomez-Casati et al.
abstract: Microalgae are organisms that have the ability to perform photosynthesis, capturing CO2 from the atmosphere to produce different metabolites such as vitamins, sugars, lipids, among others, many of them with different biotechnological applications. Recently, these microorganisms have been widely studied due to their possible use to obtain clean energy. It has been postulated that the growth of microalgae and the production of high-energy metabolites depend on the correct function of cellular organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Thus, the development of different genetic tools to improve the function of these organelles is of high scientific and technological interest. In this paper we review the recent advances in microalgae engineering and the role of cellular organelles in order to increase cell productivity and biomass.
bibliographic citation: Gomez-Casati et al. (2022) Mitochondria and chloroplasts function in microalgae energy production. PeerJ 10:e14576 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14576
date submitted: 2022-09-19
date accepted: 2022-11-28
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gomez-Casati
  given name: Diego F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Barchiesi
  given name: Julieta
author list: Agent
  family name: Busi
  given name: Maria V.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14576
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: © 2022 Gomez-Casati et al.
attribution name: Gomez-Casati et al.

Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: We examined the distribution patterns of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera functional feeding groups (EPT FFGs) in five streams that drain semi-urban landscapes in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. We undertook macroinvertebrate and physicochemical analysis over four seasons between 2016 and 2017 at eight sites in three land-use categories (Sites 1, 2 and 3), representing an increasing gradient of semi-urban pollution. Five EPT FFGs (shredders, grazers/scrapers, predators, collector-gatherers and collector-filterers) were fuzzy coded and analyzed using RLQ-R (environmental characteristics of samples), L (taxa distribution across samples) and Q (species traits) and fourth-corner analyses. Physicochemical variables, including phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature, were the most influential variables that significantly influenced the distribution patterns of EPT FFGs in the Tsitsa River. RLQ and the fourth-corner model revealed varying responses of FFGs to semi-urban pollution. Of the five FFGs, collectors were the most abundant EPT FFGs in the study area, exhibiting disparate responses to disturbances, with collector-gatherers associated with impacted sites and significantly associated with phosphate-phosphorus. On the other hand, collector-filterers decreased with increasing semi-urban disturbance and exhibited a significant negative association with phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature. Overall, this study provides further insights into the environmental factors that influence the distribution patterns of FFGs in Afrotropical streams and the potential use of FFGs as indicators of anthropogenic pollution in tropical streams and rivers.
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creator: Frank Chukwuzuoke Akamagwuna
creator: Augustine Ovie Edegbene
creator: Phindiwe Ntloko
creator: Francis Ofurum Arimoro
creator: Chika Felicitas Nnadozie
creator: Dennis Junior Choruma
creator: Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13970
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Akamagwuna et al.
abstract: We examined the distribution patterns of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera functional feeding groups (EPT FFGs) in five streams that drain semi-urban landscapes in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. We undertook macroinvertebrate and physicochemical analysis over four seasons between 2016 and 2017 at eight sites in three land-use categories (Sites 1, 2 and 3), representing an increasing gradient of semi-urban pollution. Five EPT FFGs (shredders, grazers/scrapers, predators, collector-gatherers and collector-filterers) were fuzzy coded and analyzed using RLQ-R (environmental characteristics of samples), L (taxa distribution across samples) and Q (species traits) and fourth-corner analyses. Physicochemical variables, including phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature, were the most influential variables that significantly influenced the distribution patterns of EPT FFGs in the Tsitsa River. RLQ and the fourth-corner model revealed varying responses of FFGs to semi-urban pollution. Of the five FFGs, collectors were the most abundant EPT FFGs in the study area, exhibiting disparate responses to disturbances, with collector-gatherers associated with impacted sites and significantly associated with phosphate-phosphorus. On the other hand, collector-filterers decreased with increasing semi-urban disturbance and exhibited a significant negative association with phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature. Overall, this study provides further insights into the environmental factors that influence the distribution patterns of FFGs in Afrotropical streams and the potential use of FFGs as indicators of anthropogenic pollution in tropical streams and rivers.
bibliographic citation: Akamagwuna et al. (2022) Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa. PeerJ 10:e13970 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13970
date submitted: 2022-02-11
date accepted: 2022-08-09
issued: 2022-12-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Akamagwuna
  given name: Frank Chukwuzuoke
author list: Agent
  family name: Edegbene
  given name: Augustine Ovie
author list: Agent
  family name: Ntloko
  given name: Phindiwe
author list: Agent
  family name: Arimoro
  given name: Francis Ofurum
author list: Agent
  family name: Nnadozie
  given name: Chika Felicitas
author list: Agent
  family name: Choruma
  given name: Dennis Junior
author list: Agent
  family name: Odume
  given name: Oghenekaro Nelson
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13970
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-15
copyright: ©2022 Akamagwuna et al.
attribution name: Akamagwuna et al.

Impacts of river fragmentation on limiting individual dietary specialization of Amazonian predatory fish
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Individual dietary specialization is one of the factors that promotes variation in resource use at the individual level. Here we used stable isotope analysis of multiple tissues with different turnover rates to examine the degree of individual specialization in two sub-populations of the predator Cichla temensis inhabiting both fragmented and undammed rivers within the Uatumã River basin of the Amazon. Our results showed that the undammed river provides better conditions to promote individual dietary specialization than the fragmented river. This study contributes to the understanding of how specific life history characteristics of populations of generalist predators are impacted by fragmentation within megadiverse environments such as the Amazon basin.
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creator: Jamerson Aguiar-Santos
creator: Pieter deHart
creator: Bruce Forsberg
creator: Carlos Freitas
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14266
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Aguiar-Santos et al.
abstract: Individual dietary specialization is one of the factors that promotes variation in resource use at the individual level. Here we used stable isotope analysis of multiple tissues with different turnover rates to examine the degree of individual specialization in two sub-populations of the predator Cichla temensis inhabiting both fragmented and undammed rivers within the Uatumã River basin of the Amazon. Our results showed that the undammed river provides better conditions to promote individual dietary specialization than the fragmented river. This study contributes to the understanding of how specific life history characteristics of populations of generalist predators are impacted by fragmentation within megadiverse environments such as the Amazon basin.
bibliographic citation: Aguiar-Santos et al. (2022) Impacts of river fragmentation on limiting individual dietary specialization of Amazonian predatory fish. PeerJ 10:e14266 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14266
date submitted: 2022-06-17
date accepted: 2022-09-27
issued: 2022-12-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Aguiar-Santos
  given name: Jamerson
author list: Agent
  family name: deHart
  given name: Pieter
author list: Agent
  family name: Forsberg
  given name: Bruce
author list: Agent
  family name: Freitas
  given name: Carlos
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14266
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-15
copyright: ©2022 Aguiar-Santos et al.
attribution name: Aguiar-Santos et al.

Neospongodes atlantica, a potential case of an early biological introduction in the Southwestern Atlantic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Soft corals (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) are discreet components in the Southwestern Atlantic reef communities. In Brazil, the native octocoral shallow-reef fauna is mostly represented by gorgonians. Consequently, except for the nephtheid Neospongodes atlantica, most of the known soft corals from this region are considered non-indigenous. Hitherto, the monotypic genus Neospongodes, which was proposed in the early 1900s, has been considered to be endemic to the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Herein, based on in situ records, we show that N. atlantica is a substrate generalist that has been probably expanding its distribution by dominating extensive shallow and mesophotic sandy and reef bottoms, generally outcompeting other reef benthic organisms, including Brazilian endemic species. Based on previously unidentified museum specimens, new records, and a broad literature review, we provide the most comprehensive modelling of the potential distribution of this species in the Southwestern Atlantic. Based on molecular inference supported by in-depth morphological analysis, the probable non-indigenous and, therefore, ancient introduction of N. atlantica in Brazilian waters is discussed. Finally, these results support that Neospongodes and the Indo-Pacific Stereonephthya are synonyms, which led us to propose the latter as taxonomically invalid.
format: application/pdf
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creator: Ralf T.S. Cordeiro
creator: Ágatha Nascimento Carpinelli
creator: Ronaldo B. Francini-Filho
creator: Barbara de Moura Neves
creator: Carlos D. Pérez
creator: Umberto de Oliveira
creator: Paulo Sumida
creator: Henrique Maranhão
creator: Leonardo H.U. Monteiro
creator: Pedro Carneiro
creator: Marcelo V. Kitahara
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14347
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Cordeiro et al.
abstract: Soft corals (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) are discreet components in the Southwestern Atlantic reef communities. In Brazil, the native octocoral shallow-reef fauna is mostly represented by gorgonians. Consequently, except for the nephtheid Neospongodes atlantica, most of the known soft corals from this region are considered non-indigenous. Hitherto, the monotypic genus Neospongodes, which was proposed in the early 1900s, has been considered to be endemic to the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Herein, based on in situ records, we show that N. atlantica is a substrate generalist that has been probably expanding its distribution by dominating extensive shallow and mesophotic sandy and reef bottoms, generally outcompeting other reef benthic organisms, including Brazilian endemic species. Based on previously unidentified museum specimens, new records, and a broad literature review, we provide the most comprehensive modelling of the potential distribution of this species in the Southwestern Atlantic. Based on molecular inference supported by in-depth morphological analysis, the probable non-indigenous and, therefore, ancient introduction of N. atlantica in Brazilian waters is discussed. Finally, these results support that Neospongodes and the Indo-Pacific Stereonephthya are synonyms, which led us to propose the latter as taxonomically invalid.
bibliographic citation: Cordeiro et al. (2022) Neospongodes atlantica, a potential case of an early biological introduction in the Southwestern Atlantic. PeerJ 10:e14347 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14347
date submitted: 2021-12-14
date accepted: 2022-10-16
issued: 2022-12-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cordeiro
  given name: Ralf T.S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Carpinelli
  given name: Ágatha Nascimento
author list: Agent
  family name: Francini-Filho
  given name: Ronaldo B.
author list: Agent
  family name: Neves
  given name: Barbara de Moura
author list: Agent
  family name: Pérez
  given name: Carlos D.
author list: Agent
  family name: de Oliveira
  given name: Umberto
author list: Agent
  family name: Sumida
  given name: Paulo
author list: Agent
  family name: Maranhão
  given name: Henrique
author list: Agent
  family name: Monteiro
  given name: Leonardo H.U.
author list: Agent
  family name: Carneiro
  given name: Pedro
author list: Agent
  family name: Kitahara
  given name: Marcelo V.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14347
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-15
copyright: ©2022 Cordeiro et al.
attribution name: Cordeiro et al.

Using a real-world network to model the trade-off between stay-at-home restriction, vaccination, social distancing and working hours on COVID-19 dynamics
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Human behaviour, economic activity, vaccination, and social distancing are inseparably entangled in epidemic management. This study aims to investigate the effects of various parameters such as stay-at-home restrictions, work hours, vaccination, and social distance on the containment of pandemics such as COVID-19. Methods To achieve this, we have developed an agent based model based on a time-dynamic graph with stochastic transmission events. The graph is constructed from a real-world social network. The edges of graph have been categorized into three categories: home, workplaces, and social environment. The conditions needed to mitigate the spread of wild-type COVID-19 and the delta variant have been analyzed. Our purposeful agent based model has carefully executed tens of thousands of individual-based simulations. We propose simple relationships for the trade-offs between effective reproduction number (Re), transmission rate, working hours, vaccination, and stay-at-home restrictions. Results We have found that the effect of a 13.6% increase in vaccination for wild-type (WT) COVID-19 is equivalent to reducing four hours of work or a one-day stay-at-home restriction. For the delta, 20.2% vaccination has the same effect. Also, since we can keep track of household and non-household infections, we observed that the change in household transmission rate does not significantly alter the Re. Household infections are not limited by transmission rate due to the high frequency of connections. For the specifications of COVID-19, the Re depends on the non-household transmissions rate. Conclusions Our findings highlight that decreasing working hours is the least effective among the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Our results suggest that policymakers decrease work-related activities as a last resort and should probably not do so when the effects are minimal, as shown. Furthermore, the enforcement of stay-at-home restrictions is moderately effective and can be used …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ramin Nashebi
creator: Murat Sari
creator: Seyfullah Kotil
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Mathematical Biology
subject: Epidemiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14353
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Nashebi et al.
abstract: Background Human behaviour, economic activity, vaccination, and social distancing are inseparably entangled in epidemic management. This study aims to investigate the effects of various parameters such as stay-at-home restrictions, work hours, vaccination, and social distance on the containment of pandemics such as COVID-19. Methods To achieve this, we have developed an agent based model based on a time-dynamic graph with stochastic transmission events. The graph is constructed from a real-world social network. The edges of graph have been categorized into three categories: home, workplaces, and social environment. The conditions needed to mitigate the spread of wild-type COVID-19 and the delta variant have been analyzed. Our purposeful agent based model has carefully executed tens of thousands of individual-based simulations. We propose simple relationships for the trade-offs between effective reproduction number (Re), transmission rate, working hours, vaccination, and stay-at-home restrictions. Results We have found that the effect of a 13.6% increase in vaccination for wild-type (WT) COVID-19 is equivalent to reducing four hours of work or a one-day stay-at-home restriction. For the delta, 20.2% vaccination has the same effect. Also, since we can keep track of household and non-household infections, we observed that the change in household transmission rate does not significantly alter the Re. Household infections are not limited by transmission rate due to the high frequency of connections. For the specifications of COVID-19, the Re depends on the non-household transmissions rate. Conclusions Our findings highlight that decreasing working hours is the least effective among the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Our results suggest that policymakers decrease work-related activities as a last resort and should probably not do so when the effects are minimal, as shown. Furthermore, the enforcement of stay-at-home restrictions is moderately effective and can be used …
bibliographic citation: Nashebi et al. (2022) Using a real-world network to model the trade-off between stay-at-home restriction, vaccination, social distancing and working hours on COVID-19 dynamics. PeerJ 10:e14353 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14353
date submitted: 2022-04-18
date accepted: 2022-10-17
issued: 2022-12-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Nashebi
  given name: Ramin
author list: Agent
  family name: Sari
  given name: Murat
author list: Agent
  family name: Kotil
  given name: Seyfullah
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14353
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-15
copyright: ©2022 Nashebi et al.
attribution name: Nashebi et al.

Prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The smartphone emerges as an inevitable gadget in modern society and its increased usage results in neck disorders among its users. However, the factors associated with neck disorders among smartphone users are ambiguous and less explored in the literature. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 313 university students who were aged 18 years and older, owned a smartphone, and used it during the preceding 12 months participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, neck disorders, and the level of physical activity. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between the prevalence of neck disorders and text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, and level of physical activity. The 12 months prevalence of neck disorders due to smartphone use among the participants was found to be 46%. The neck disorders were more prevalent among participants who reported text neck posture (P < 0.001) and categorized as smartphone-addicted/overuse (P < 0.001). Measures to promote the awareness of healthy use of smartphones including postural education and to decrease its screen time are warranted to reduce neck disorders.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
creator: Msaad Alzhrani
creator: Ahmad Alanazi
creator: Mazen Alqahtani
creator: Mohamed Waly
creator: Radhakrishnan Unnikrishnan
creator: Hariraja Muthusamy
creator: Wafa Alrubaia
creator: Nidaa Alanazi
creator: Mohamed K. Seyam
creator: Faizan Kashoo
creator: Mohammad Miraj
creator: Shashikumar Channmgere Govindappa
creator: Khalid Ahmed Alghamdi
creator: Nasser M. Al-Hussinan
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Public Health
subject: COVID-19
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Rehabilitation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14443
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Sirajudeen et al.
abstract: The smartphone emerges as an inevitable gadget in modern society and its increased usage results in neck disorders among its users. However, the factors associated with neck disorders among smartphone users are ambiguous and less explored in the literature. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 313 university students who were aged 18 years and older, owned a smartphone, and used it during the preceding 12 months participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, neck disorders, and the level of physical activity. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between the prevalence of neck disorders and text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, and level of physical activity. The 12 months prevalence of neck disorders due to smartphone use among the participants was found to be 46%. The neck disorders were more prevalent among participants who reported text neck posture (P < 0.001) and categorized as smartphone-addicted/overuse (P < 0.001). Measures to promote the awareness of healthy use of smartphones including postural education and to decrease its screen time are warranted to reduce neck disorders.
bibliographic citation: Sirajudeen et al. (2022) Prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. PeerJ 10:e14443 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14443
date submitted: 2022-08-25
date accepted: 2022-11-01
issued: 2022-12-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sirajudeen
  given name: Mohamed Sherif
author list: Agent
  family name: Alzhrani
  given name: Msaad
author list: Agent
  family name: Alanazi
  given name: Ahmad
author list: Agent
  family name: Alqahtani
  given name: Mazen
author list: Agent
  family name: Waly
  given name: Mohamed
author list: Agent
  family name: Unnikrishnan
  given name: Radhakrishnan
author list: Agent
  family name: Muthusamy
  given name: Hariraja
author list: Agent
  family name: Alrubaia
  given name: Wafa
author list: Agent
  family name: Alanazi
  given name: Nidaa
author list: Agent
  family name: Seyam
  given name: Mohamed K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Kashoo
  given name: Faizan
author list: Agent
  family name: Miraj
  given name: Mohammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Channmgere Govindappa
  given name: Shashikumar
author list: Agent
  family name: Alghamdi
  given name: Khalid Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Hussinan
  given name: Nasser M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14443
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-15
copyright: © 2022 Sirajudeen et al.
attribution name: Sirajudeen et al.

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