PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Using Peromyscus leucopus as a biomonitor to determine the impact of heavy metal exposure on the kidney and bone mineral density: results from the Tar Creek Superfund Site
items: Forty new specimens of Ichthyornis provide unprecedented insight into the postcranial morphology of crownward stem group birds
items: Guttigomphus avilionis gen. et sp. nov., a trirachodontid cynodont from the upper Cynognathus Assemblage Zone, Burgersdorp Formation of South Africa
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

Using Peromyscus leucopus as a biomonitor to determine the impact of heavy metal exposure on the kidney and bone mineral density: results from the Tar Creek Superfund Site
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Human population growth and industrialization contribute to increased pollution of wildlife habitats. Heavy metal exposure from industrial and environmental sources is still a threat to public health, increasing disease susceptibility. In this study, I investigated the effects of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) on kidney and bone density. Objective This study aims to determine the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil and compare them to the levels of the same metals in Peromyscus leucopus kidney tissue. Furthermore, the study seeks to investigate the impact of heavy metals on bone density and fragility using the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) of P. leucopus. Methods Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in soil specimens collected from Tar Creek Superfund Site (TCSFS), Beaver Creek (BC), and two reference sites (Oologah Wildlife Management Area (OWMA) and Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR)). Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Micro-computed tomography (µCT) was used to assess the influence of heavy metals on bone fragility and density. Results On the one hand, soil samples revealed that Pb is the most common pollutant in the sediment at all of the investigated sites (the highest contaminated site with Pb was TCSFS). Pb levels in the soil of TCSFS, BC, OWMA, and SNWR were found to be 1,132 ± 278, 6.4 ± 1.1, and 2.3 ± 0.3 mg/kg in the soil of TCSFS, BC and OWMA and SNWR, respectively. This is consistent with the fact that Pb is one of the less mobile heavy metals, causing its compounds to persist in soils and sediments and being barely influenced by microbial decomposition. On the other hand, the kidney samples revealed greater Cd levels, even higher than those found in the soil samples from the OWMA and SNWR sites. Cd concentrations in the kidney specimens were found to be 4.62 ± 0.71, 0.53 ± 0.08, and 0.53 ± 0.06 µg/kg, respectively. In addition, micro-CT analysis of L…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maha Abdulftah Elturki
subject: Ecology
subject: Soil Science
subject: Zoology
subject: Ecotoxicology
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14605
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Elturki
abstract: Background Human population growth and industrialization contribute to increased pollution of wildlife habitats. Heavy metal exposure from industrial and environmental sources is still a threat to public health, increasing disease susceptibility. In this study, I investigated the effects of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) on kidney and bone density. Objective This study aims to determine the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil and compare them to the levels of the same metals in Peromyscus leucopus kidney tissue. Furthermore, the study seeks to investigate the impact of heavy metals on bone density and fragility using the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) of P. leucopus. Methods Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in soil specimens collected from Tar Creek Superfund Site (TCSFS), Beaver Creek (BC), and two reference sites (Oologah Wildlife Management Area (OWMA) and Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR)). Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Micro-computed tomography (µCT) was used to assess the influence of heavy metals on bone fragility and density. Results On the one hand, soil samples revealed that Pb is the most common pollutant in the sediment at all of the investigated sites (the highest contaminated site with Pb was TCSFS). Pb levels in the soil of TCSFS, BC, OWMA, and SNWR were found to be 1,132 ± 278, 6.4 ± 1.1, and 2.3 ± 0.3 mg/kg in the soil of TCSFS, BC and OWMA and SNWR, respectively. This is consistent with the fact that Pb is one of the less mobile heavy metals, causing its compounds to persist in soils and sediments and being barely influenced by microbial decomposition. On the other hand, the kidney samples revealed greater Cd levels, even higher than those found in the soil samples from the OWMA and SNWR sites. Cd concentrations in the kidney specimens were found to be 4.62 ± 0.71, 0.53 ± 0.08, and 0.53 ± 0.06 µg/kg, respectively. In addition, micro-CT analysis of L…
bibliographic citation: Elturki (2022) Using Peromyscus leucopus as a biomonitor to determine the impact of heavy metal exposure on the kidney and bone mineral density: results from the Tar Creek Superfund Site. PeerJ 10:e14605 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14605
date submitted: 2022-09-27
date accepted: 2022-11-29
issued: 2022-12-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Elturki
  given name: Maha Abdulftah
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14605
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-19
copyright: © 2022 Elturki
attribution name: Elturki

Forty new specimens of Ichthyornis provide unprecedented insight into the postcranial morphology of crownward stem group birds
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Ichthyornis has long been recognized as a pivotally important fossil taxon for understanding the latest stages of the dinosaur–bird transition, but little significant new postcranial material has been brought to light since initial descriptions of partial skeletons in the 19th Century. Here, we present new information on the postcranial morphology of Ichthyornis from 40 previously undescribed specimens, providing the most complete morphological assessment of the postcranial skeleton of Ichthyornis to date. The new material includes four partially complete skeletons and numerous well-preserved isolated elements, enabling new anatomical observations such as muscle attachments previously undescribed for Mesozoic euornitheans. Among the elements that were previously unknown or poorly represented for Ichthyornis, the new specimens include an almost-complete axial series, a hypocleideum-bearing furcula, radial carpal bones, fibulae, a complete tarsometatarsus bearing a rudimentary hypotarsus, and one of the first-known nearly complete three-dimensional sterna from a Mesozoic avialan. Several pedal phalanges are preserved, revealing a remarkably enlarged pes presumably related to foot-propelled swimming. Although diagnosable as Ichthyornis, the new specimens exhibit a substantial degree of morphological variation, some of which may relate to ontogenetic changes. Phylogenetic analyses incorporating our new data and employing alternative morphological datasets recover Ichthyornis stemward of Hesperornithes and Iaceornis, in line with some recent hypotheses regarding the topology of the crownward-most portion of the avian stem group, and we establish phylogenetically-defined clade names for relevant avialan subclades to help facilitate consistent discourse in future work. The new information provided by these specimens improves our understanding of morphological evolution among the crownward-most non-neornithine avialans immediately preceding the origin of crown group birds.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Juan Benito
creator: Albert Chen
creator: Laura E. Wilson
creator: Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar
creator: David Burnham
creator: Daniel J. Field
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13919
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Benito et al.
abstract: Ichthyornis has long been recognized as a pivotally important fossil taxon for understanding the latest stages of the dinosaur–bird transition, but little significant new postcranial material has been brought to light since initial descriptions of partial skeletons in the 19th Century. Here, we present new information on the postcranial morphology of Ichthyornis from 40 previously undescribed specimens, providing the most complete morphological assessment of the postcranial skeleton of Ichthyornis to date. The new material includes four partially complete skeletons and numerous well-preserved isolated elements, enabling new anatomical observations such as muscle attachments previously undescribed for Mesozoic euornitheans. Among the elements that were previously unknown or poorly represented for Ichthyornis, the new specimens include an almost-complete axial series, a hypocleideum-bearing furcula, radial carpal bones, fibulae, a complete tarsometatarsus bearing a rudimentary hypotarsus, and one of the first-known nearly complete three-dimensional sterna from a Mesozoic avialan. Several pedal phalanges are preserved, revealing a remarkably enlarged pes presumably related to foot-propelled swimming. Although diagnosable as Ichthyornis, the new specimens exhibit a substantial degree of morphological variation, some of which may relate to ontogenetic changes. Phylogenetic analyses incorporating our new data and employing alternative morphological datasets recover Ichthyornis stemward of Hesperornithes and Iaceornis, in line with some recent hypotheses regarding the topology of the crownward-most portion of the avian stem group, and we establish phylogenetically-defined clade names for relevant avialan subclades to help facilitate consistent discourse in future work. The new information provided by these specimens improves our understanding of morphological evolution among the crownward-most non-neornithine avialans immediately preceding the origin of crown group birds.
bibliographic citation: Benito et al. (2022) Forty new specimens of Ichthyornis provide unprecedented insight into the postcranial morphology of crownward stem group birds. PeerJ 10:e13919 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13919
date submitted: 2021-12-13
date accepted: 2022-07-28
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Benito
  given name: Juan
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Albert
author list: Agent
  family name: Wilson
  given name: Laura E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bhullar
  given name: Bhart-Anjan S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Burnham
  given name: David
author list: Agent
  family name: Field
  given name: Daniel J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13919
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: © 2022 Benito et al.
attribution name: Benito et al.

Guttigomphus avilionis gen. et sp. nov., a trirachodontid cynodont from the upper Cynognathus Assemblage Zone, Burgersdorp Formation of South Africa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Burgersdorp Formation of South Africa is a richly fossiliferous rock sequence at the top of the Permian–Triassic Beaufort Group and is known for its abundance of Early–Middle Triassic vertebrate remains, particularly cynodonts. Fossils from the Burgersdorp Formation are referred biostratigraphically to the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (CAZ), which is further divided into three subzones: Langbergia-Garjainia, Trirachodon-Kannemeyeria, and Cricodon-Ufudocyclops. Each subzone is characterised by the presence of a distinct species of trirachodontid, a group of gomphodont cynodonts found relatively abundantly throughout the CAZ, with the lower two subzones characterised by the medium-sized trirachodontids Langbergia and Trirachodon. The uppermost part of the formation, the Cricodon-Ufudocyclops subzone, yields trirachodontids of larger size. The majority of these trirachodontid specimens have previously been referred to Cricodon metabolus, a taxon also known from the Manda Beds of Tanzania and the Ntawere Formation of Zambia. Here we identify one of the specimens (BP/1/5538) previously referred to Cricodon as a new taxon, Guttigomphus avilionis. Guttigomphus can be distinguished from other gomphodont cynodonts by features of the upper postcanine teeth, such as an asymmetric crown in occlusal view (crown narrower along the lingual margin than the labial). Our phylogenetic analysis recovers Guttigomphus as a basal member of Trirachodontidae, outside of the clade including Cricodon, Langbergia and Trirachodon.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Romy R. Rayner
creator: Richard J. Butler
creator: Christian F. Kammerer
creator: Jonah N. Choiniere
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14355
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Rayner et al.
abstract: The Burgersdorp Formation of South Africa is a richly fossiliferous rock sequence at the top of the Permian–Triassic Beaufort Group and is known for its abundance of Early–Middle Triassic vertebrate remains, particularly cynodonts. Fossils from the Burgersdorp Formation are referred biostratigraphically to the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (CAZ), which is further divided into three subzones: Langbergia-Garjainia, Trirachodon-Kannemeyeria, and Cricodon-Ufudocyclops. Each subzone is characterised by the presence of a distinct species of trirachodontid, a group of gomphodont cynodonts found relatively abundantly throughout the CAZ, with the lower two subzones characterised by the medium-sized trirachodontids Langbergia and Trirachodon. The uppermost part of the formation, the Cricodon-Ufudocyclops subzone, yields trirachodontids of larger size. The majority of these trirachodontid specimens have previously been referred to Cricodon metabolus, a taxon also known from the Manda Beds of Tanzania and the Ntawere Formation of Zambia. Here we identify one of the specimens (BP/1/5538) previously referred to Cricodon as a new taxon, Guttigomphus avilionis. Guttigomphus can be distinguished from other gomphodont cynodonts by features of the upper postcanine teeth, such as an asymmetric crown in occlusal view (crown narrower along the lingual margin than the labial). Our phylogenetic analysis recovers Guttigomphus as a basal member of Trirachodontidae, outside of the clade including Cricodon, Langbergia and Trirachodon.
bibliographic citation: Rayner et al. (2022) Guttigomphus avilionis gen. et sp. nov., a trirachodontid cynodont from the upper Cynognathus Assemblage Zone, Burgersdorp Formation of South Africa. PeerJ 10:e14355 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14355
date submitted: 2020-03-04
date accepted: 2022-10-17
issued: 2022-12-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rayner
  given name: Romy R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Butler
  given name: Richard J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Kammerer
  given name: Christian F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Choiniere
  given name: Jonah N.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14355
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-12-16
copyright: © 2022 Rayner et al.
attribution name: Rayner et al.

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…
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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.
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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.
format: application/pdf
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.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
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.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
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.

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