PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Trichoderma longibrachiatum TG1 increases endogenous salicylic acid content and antioxidants activity in wheat seedlings under salinity stress
items: Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) is a source of plant food polyphenols with SARS-CoV inhibiting potential
items: Supplementation of banana peel powder for the development of functional broiler nuggets
items: Correlation between religion, spirituality and perception of healthcare services utilisation in Poland during COVID-19 pandemic
items: Anatomy and behavior of Laternula elliptica, a keystone species of the Antarctic benthos (Bivalvia: Anomalodesmata: Laternulidae)
items: The morphology of the pulp chamber floor of permanent mandibular first and second molars in an Indian subpopulation—a descriptive cross-sectional study employing Pawar and Singh classification
items: The evolution of unique cranial traits in leporid lagomorphs
items: Superimposed vibration on suspended push-ups
items: Insights into the vaginal microbiome in a diverse group of women of African, Asian and European ancestries
items: Exogenous melatonin improves salt tolerance mainly by regulating the antioxidant system in cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme

Trichoderma longibrachiatum TG1 increases endogenous salicylic acid content and antioxidants activity in wheat seedlings under salinity stress
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Several studies have reported the deleterious effects of excessive salt stress on Triticum aestivum L. seedlings. Seed pretreatment with exogenous salicylic acid (SA) enhances plants to tolerate salt stress. Herein, the present study aims to investigate the potential of plant-growth-promoting fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum (TG1) to increase the plant growth and enhance the salicylic acid (SA) contents and antioxidants activity in wheat seedlings under different concentrations of salt stress. Wheat seeds were pretreated in TG1 spore suspension before exposure to different salt stresses. Compared with 0, 50, 100, 150 salt stresses, the TG1 and NaCl increased the wheat seeds germination rate, germination potential and germination index significantly; the shoot height and root length were increased by an average of 39.45% and 29.73%, respectively. Compared to NaCl stress across the four concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM), the TG1 treated wheat seedlings increased SA concentration and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (PAL) by an average of 55.87% and 24.10% respectively. In addition, the TG1+NaCl-treated seedlings increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the shoot by an average of 47.68%, 23.68%, and 38.65% respectively compared to NaCl-stressed seedlings. Significantly, the genes, SOD, CAT, and POD were relatively up-regulated in the salt-tolerant TG1-treated seedlings at all NaCl concentrations in comparison to the control. Wheat seedlings treated with TG1+NaCl increased the transcript levels of SOD, POD and CAT by 1.35, 1.85 and 1.04-fold at 50 mM NaCl concentration, respectively, compared with 0 mM NaCl concentration. Our results indicated that seeds pretreatment with TG1 could increase endogenous SA of plants and promote seedling growth under salt stress by improving enzymatic antioxidant activities and gene expression.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Solomon Boamah
creator: Shuwu Zhang
creator: Bingliang Xu
creator: Tong Li
creator: Alejandro Calderón-Urrea
creator: Richard John Tiika
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Mycology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12923
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Boamah et al.
abstract: Several studies have reported the deleterious effects of excessive salt stress on Triticum aestivum L. seedlings. Seed pretreatment with exogenous salicylic acid (SA) enhances plants to tolerate salt stress. Herein, the present study aims to investigate the potential of plant-growth-promoting fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum (TG1) to increase the plant growth and enhance the salicylic acid (SA) contents and antioxidants activity in wheat seedlings under different concentrations of salt stress. Wheat seeds were pretreated in TG1 spore suspension before exposure to different salt stresses. Compared with 0, 50, 100, 150 salt stresses, the TG1 and NaCl increased the wheat seeds germination rate, germination potential and germination index significantly; the shoot height and root length were increased by an average of 39.45% and 29.73%, respectively. Compared to NaCl stress across the four concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM), the TG1 treated wheat seedlings increased SA concentration and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (PAL) by an average of 55.87% and 24.10% respectively. In addition, the TG1+NaCl-treated seedlings increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the shoot by an average of 47.68%, 23.68%, and 38.65% respectively compared to NaCl-stressed seedlings. Significantly, the genes, SOD, CAT, and POD were relatively up-regulated in the salt-tolerant TG1-treated seedlings at all NaCl concentrations in comparison to the control. Wheat seedlings treated with TG1+NaCl increased the transcript levels of SOD, POD and CAT by 1.35, 1.85 and 1.04-fold at 50 mM NaCl concentration, respectively, compared with 0 mM NaCl concentration. Our results indicated that seeds pretreatment with TG1 could increase endogenous SA of plants and promote seedling growth under salt stress by improving enzymatic antioxidant activities and gene expression.
bibliographic citation: Boamah et al. (2022) Trichoderma longibrachiatum TG1 increases endogenous salicylic acid content and antioxidants activity in wheat seedlings under salinity stress. PeerJ 10:e12923 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12923
date submitted: 2021-04-14
date accepted: 2022-01-20
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Boamah
  given name: Solomon
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Shuwu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Bingliang
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Tong
author list: Agent
  family name: Calderón-Urrea
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: John Tiika
  given name: Richard
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12923
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Boamah et al.
attribution name: Boamah et al.

Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) is a source of plant food polyphenols with SARS-CoV inhibiting potential
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) commonly known as turkey berry or ‘terung pipit’ in Malay is a vegetable plant widely consumed by the local community in Malaysia. The shrub bears pea-like turkey berry fruits (TBFs), rich in phytochemicals of medicinal interest. The TBF phytochemicals hold a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this study, the TBF phytochemicals’ potential inhibitory properties were evaluated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The TBF polyphenols were screened against SARS-CoV receptors via molecular docking and the best receptor-ligand complex was validated further by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Method The SARS-CoV receptor structure files (viral structural components) were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) database: membrane protein (PDB ID: 3I6G), main protease (PDB ID: 5RE4), and spike glycoproteins (PDB ID: 6VXX and 6VYB). The receptor binding pocket regions were identified by Discovery Studio (BIOVIA) for targeted docking with TBF polyphenols (genistin, kaempferol, mellein, rhoifolin and scutellarein). The ligand and SARS-CoV family receptor structure files were pre-processed using the AutoDock tools. Molecular docking was performed with the Lamarckian genetic algorithm using AutoDock Vina 4.2 software. The best pose (ligand-receptor complex) from the molecular docking analysis was selected based on the minimum binding energy (MBE) and extent of structural interactions, as indicated by BIOVIA visualization tool. The selected complex was validated by a 100 ns MD simulation run using the GROMACS software. The dynamic behaviour and stability of the receptor-ligand complex were evaluated by the root mean square displacement (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), solvent accessible surface volume (SASV) and number of hydrogen bonds. Results At RMSD = 0, the TB…
format: application/pdf
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creator: Nisha Govender
creator: Norazura Syazlin Zulkifli
creator: Nurul Farhana Badrul Hisham
creator: Nur Syatila Ab Ghani
creator: Zeti-Azura Mohamed-Hussein
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14168
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Govender et al.
abstract: Background Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) commonly known as turkey berry or ‘terung pipit’ in Malay is a vegetable plant widely consumed by the local community in Malaysia. The shrub bears pea-like turkey berry fruits (TBFs), rich in phytochemicals of medicinal interest. The TBF phytochemicals hold a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this study, the TBF phytochemicals’ potential inhibitory properties were evaluated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The TBF polyphenols were screened against SARS-CoV receptors via molecular docking and the best receptor-ligand complex was validated further by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Method The SARS-CoV receptor structure files (viral structural components) were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) database: membrane protein (PDB ID: 3I6G), main protease (PDB ID: 5RE4), and spike glycoproteins (PDB ID: 6VXX and 6VYB). The receptor binding pocket regions were identified by Discovery Studio (BIOVIA) for targeted docking with TBF polyphenols (genistin, kaempferol, mellein, rhoifolin and scutellarein). The ligand and SARS-CoV family receptor structure files were pre-processed using the AutoDock tools. Molecular docking was performed with the Lamarckian genetic algorithm using AutoDock Vina 4.2 software. The best pose (ligand-receptor complex) from the molecular docking analysis was selected based on the minimum binding energy (MBE) and extent of structural interactions, as indicated by BIOVIA visualization tool. The selected complex was validated by a 100 ns MD simulation run using the GROMACS software. The dynamic behaviour and stability of the receptor-ligand complex were evaluated by the root mean square displacement (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), solvent accessible surface volume (SASV) and number of hydrogen bonds. Results At RMSD = 0, the TB…
bibliographic citation: Govender et al. (2022) Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) is a source of plant food polyphenols with SARS-CoV inhibiting potential. PeerJ 10:e14168 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14168
date submitted: 2022-06-27
date accepted: 2022-09-12
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Govender
  given name: Nisha
author list: Agent
  family name: Zulkifli
  given name: Norazura Syazlin
author list: Agent
  family name: Badrul Hisham
  given name: Nurul Farhana
author list: Agent
  family name: Ab Ghani
  given name: Nur Syatila
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohamed-Hussein
  given name: Zeti-Azura
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14168
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Govender et al.
attribution name: Govender et al.

Supplementation of banana peel powder for the development of functional broiler nuggets
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Banana peel powder is considered one of the most nutritive and effective waste product to be utilized as a functional additive in the food industry. This study aimed to determine the impact of banana peel powder at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% on the nutritional composition, physicochemical parameters, antioxidant potential, cooking properties, microbial count, and organoleptic properties of functional nuggets during storage at refrigeration temperature for 21 days. Results showed a significant increase in nutritional content including ash and crude fiber ranging from 2.52 ± 0.017% to 6.45 ± 0.01% and 0.51 ± 0.01% to 2.13 ± 0.01%, respectively, whereas a significant decrease was observed in crude protein and crude fat ranging from 13.71 ± 0.02% to 8.92 ± 0.02% and 9.25 ± 0.02% to 4.51 ± 0.01%, respectively. The incorporation of banana peel powder significantly improved the Water Holding Capacity from 5.17% to 8.37%, cooking yield from 83.20 ± 0.20% to 87.73 ± 0.16% and cooking loss from 20.19 ± 0.290% to 13.98 ± 0.15%. Antioxidant potential was significantly improved as TPC of functional nuggets increased ranging from 3.73 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g to 8.53 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g while a decrease in TBARS (0.18 ± 0.02 mg malonaldehyde/kg to 0.14 ± 0.02 mg malonaldehyde/kg) was observed. Furthermore, functional broiler nuggets depicted a significantly reduced total plate count (3.06–4.20 × 105 CFU/g) than control, which is likely due to high amounts of phenolic compounds in BPP. Broiler nuggets supplemented with 2% BPP (T1) received the greatest sensory scores in terms of flavour, tenderness, and juiciness. Results of current study revealed the potential of BPP to be utilized as an effective natural source of fibre supplementation in food products along with enhanced antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
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format: text/html
creator: Tasleem Akram
creator: Sharmeen Mustafa
creator: Khola Ilyas
creator: Muhammad Rizwan Tariq
creator: Shinawar Waseem Ali
creator: Sajid Ali
creator: Muhammad Shafiq
creator: Maryam Rao
creator: Waseem Safdar
creator: Madiha Iftikhar
creator: Amna Hameed
creator: Mujahid Manzoor
creator: Madiha Akhtar
creator: Zujaja Umer
creator: Zunaira Basharat
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14364
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Akram et al.
abstract: Banana peel powder is considered one of the most nutritive and effective waste product to be utilized as a functional additive in the food industry. This study aimed to determine the impact of banana peel powder at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% on the nutritional composition, physicochemical parameters, antioxidant potential, cooking properties, microbial count, and organoleptic properties of functional nuggets during storage at refrigeration temperature for 21 days. Results showed a significant increase in nutritional content including ash and crude fiber ranging from 2.52 ± 0.017% to 6.45 ± 0.01% and 0.51 ± 0.01% to 2.13 ± 0.01%, respectively, whereas a significant decrease was observed in crude protein and crude fat ranging from 13.71 ± 0.02% to 8.92 ± 0.02% and 9.25 ± 0.02% to 4.51 ± 0.01%, respectively. The incorporation of banana peel powder significantly improved the Water Holding Capacity from 5.17% to 8.37%, cooking yield from 83.20 ± 0.20% to 87.73 ± 0.16% and cooking loss from 20.19 ± 0.290% to 13.98 ± 0.15%. Antioxidant potential was significantly improved as TPC of functional nuggets increased ranging from 3.73 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g to 8.53 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g while a decrease in TBARS (0.18 ± 0.02 mg malonaldehyde/kg to 0.14 ± 0.02 mg malonaldehyde/kg) was observed. Furthermore, functional broiler nuggets depicted a significantly reduced total plate count (3.06–4.20 × 105 CFU/g) than control, which is likely due to high amounts of phenolic compounds in BPP. Broiler nuggets supplemented with 2% BPP (T1) received the greatest sensory scores in terms of flavour, tenderness, and juiciness. Results of current study revealed the potential of BPP to be utilized as an effective natural source of fibre supplementation in food products along with enhanced antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
bibliographic citation: Akram et al. (2022) Supplementation of banana peel powder for the development of functional broiler nuggets. PeerJ 10:e14364 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14364
date submitted: 2022-08-25
date accepted: 2022-10-18
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Akram
  given name: Tasleem
author list: Agent
  family name: Mustafa
  given name: Sharmeen
author list: Agent
  family name: Ilyas
  given name: Khola
author list: Agent
  family name: Tariq
  given name: Muhammad Rizwan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Shinawar Waseem
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Sajid
author list: Agent
  family name: Shafiq
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Rao
  given name: Maryam
author list: Agent
  family name: Safdar
  given name: Waseem
author list: Agent
  family name: Iftikhar
  given name: Madiha
author list: Agent
  family name: Hameed
  given name: Amna
author list: Agent
  family name: Manzoor
  given name: Mujahid
author list: Agent
  family name: Akhtar
  given name: Madiha
author list: Agent
  family name: Umer
  given name: Zujaja
author list: Agent
  family name: Basharat
  given name: Zunaira
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14364
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Akram et al.
attribution name: Akram et al.

Correlation between religion, spirituality and perception of healthcare services utilisation in Poland during COVID-19 pandemic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The worldwide transmission of SARS CoV-2 caused the COVID-19 pandemic and had an impact on healthcare provision. The disruption of reliance on the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic posed a clear threat to public trust. Religiosity, like spirituality, is believed to have a positive influence on people’s lives, enabling them to cope with illness, stress, and sudden life changes. In practice, although the terms religiosity and spirituality have similar meanings and are related, they are not identical concepts. The aim of this study is to compare the perceptions of the accessibility and quality of healthcare services provided before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland by religious/spiritual people compared to those for whom religion and spirituality have little or no importance in their lives. Methodology This cross-sectional study was based on the authors’ questionnaire, carried out during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Participants in the study were people living in various regions of Poland over 18 who were willing to complete the questionnaire voluntarily. The number of people sampled was two hundred and sixty-four. Convenience sampling method was used for this study. Statistical calculations were performed using Statistica 13 software from TIBCO and PQStat from PQStat Software and were based on the Kruskal-Wallis test, multiple regression model, the chi2 test of independence or the Mann-Whitney test. The result was considered statistically significant when p < α. The significance level was taken as α = 0.05. Results Two hundred and sixty-three respondents answered the questionnaire. Among them, 181 (69%) were women, and 82 (31%) were men. It was shown that religion is more important for women than for men and women who report a high role of religion in their lives rated the quality of healthcare services better before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also concluded that religious people for whom religion played…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Magdalena Tuczyńska
creator: Maja Matthews-Kozanecka
creator: Ewa Baum
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: COVID-19
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14376
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Tuczyńska et al.
abstract: Background The worldwide transmission of SARS CoV-2 caused the COVID-19 pandemic and had an impact on healthcare provision. The disruption of reliance on the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic posed a clear threat to public trust. Religiosity, like spirituality, is believed to have a positive influence on people’s lives, enabling them to cope with illness, stress, and sudden life changes. In practice, although the terms religiosity and spirituality have similar meanings and are related, they are not identical concepts. The aim of this study is to compare the perceptions of the accessibility and quality of healthcare services provided before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland by religious/spiritual people compared to those for whom religion and spirituality have little or no importance in their lives. Methodology This cross-sectional study was based on the authors’ questionnaire, carried out during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Participants in the study were people living in various regions of Poland over 18 who were willing to complete the questionnaire voluntarily. The number of people sampled was two hundred and sixty-four. Convenience sampling method was used for this study. Statistical calculations were performed using Statistica 13 software from TIBCO and PQStat from PQStat Software and were based on the Kruskal-Wallis test, multiple regression model, the chi2 test of independence or the Mann-Whitney test. The result was considered statistically significant when p < α. The significance level was taken as α = 0.05. Results Two hundred and sixty-three respondents answered the questionnaire. Among them, 181 (69%) were women, and 82 (31%) were men. It was shown that religion is more important for women than for men and women who report a high role of religion in their lives rated the quality of healthcare services better before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also concluded that religious people for whom religion played…
bibliographic citation: Tuczyńska et al. (2022) Correlation between religion, spirituality and perception of healthcare services utilisation in Poland during COVID-19 pandemic. PeerJ 10:e14376 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14376
date submitted: 2022-07-06
date accepted: 2022-10-19
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tuczyńska
  given name: Magdalena
author list: Agent
  family name: Matthews-Kozanecka
  given name: Maja
author list: Agent
  family name: Baum
  given name: Ewa
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14376
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: ©2022 Tuczyńska et al.
attribution name: Tuczyńska et al.

Anatomy and behavior of Laternula elliptica, a keystone species of the Antarctic benthos (Bivalvia: Anomalodesmata: Laternulidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Laternula elliptica (P. P. King, 1832) is the sole representative of the anomalodesmatan family Laternulidae and the largest bivalve in the Antarctic and Subantarctic. A keystone species of the regional benthic communities, it has reached model status, having been studied in hundreds of scientific works across many biological disciplines. In contrast, its anatomy has remained poorly known, with prior published data limited to partial descriptions based on chemically preserved specimens. Based on observations of aquarium-maintained living animals at the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, gross-morphological dissections, and histological sectioning, the comparative anatomy, functional morphology, and aspects of behavior of L. elliptica are described and discussed. Special focus is placed on the pallial organs (including elucidation of cleansing and feeding sorting mechanisms in the mantle cavity) and the musculature. Among the noteworthy findings are the presence of well-developed siphons furnished with sensory tentacles at its tips, some of which bearing eyes; large, folded gills and labial palps capable of sorting the material entering the mantle cavity; an inter-chamber communication in the posterior region of the mantle cavity; an ample ventral mantle fusion with an anterior pedal gape; the absence of a 4th pallial opening; and the absence of a ligamental lithodesma in adult specimens. This study reevaluates the available anatomical data in the literature, both supplementing and correcting previously published accounts.
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creator: Flávio Dias Passos
creator: André Fernando Sartori
creator: Osmar Domaneschi
creator: Rüdiger Bieler
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14380
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Passos et al.
abstract: Laternula elliptica (P. P. King, 1832) is the sole representative of the anomalodesmatan family Laternulidae and the largest bivalve in the Antarctic and Subantarctic. A keystone species of the regional benthic communities, it has reached model status, having been studied in hundreds of scientific works across many biological disciplines. In contrast, its anatomy has remained poorly known, with prior published data limited to partial descriptions based on chemically preserved specimens. Based on observations of aquarium-maintained living animals at the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, gross-morphological dissections, and histological sectioning, the comparative anatomy, functional morphology, and aspects of behavior of L. elliptica are described and discussed. Special focus is placed on the pallial organs (including elucidation of cleansing and feeding sorting mechanisms in the mantle cavity) and the musculature. Among the noteworthy findings are the presence of well-developed siphons furnished with sensory tentacles at its tips, some of which bearing eyes; large, folded gills and labial palps capable of sorting the material entering the mantle cavity; an inter-chamber communication in the posterior region of the mantle cavity; an ample ventral mantle fusion with an anterior pedal gape; the absence of a 4th pallial opening; and the absence of a ligamental lithodesma in adult specimens. This study reevaluates the available anatomical data in the literature, both supplementing and correcting previously published accounts.
bibliographic citation: Passos et al. (2022) Anatomy and behavior of Laternula elliptica, a keystone species of the Antarctic benthos (Bivalvia: Anomalodesmata: Laternulidae). PeerJ 10:e14380 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14380
date submitted: 2022-06-02
date accepted: 2022-10-20
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Passos
  given name: Flávio Dias
author list: Agent
  family name: Sartori
  given name: André Fernando
author list: Agent
  family name: Domaneschi
  given name: Osmar
author list: Agent
  family name: Bieler
  given name: Rüdiger
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14380
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Passos et al.
attribution name: Passos et al.

The morphology of the pulp chamber floor of permanent mandibular first and second molars in an Indian subpopulation—a descriptive cross-sectional study employing Pawar and Singh classification
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Mandibular molars are multi-rooted teeth with a complex and strenuous root canal anatomy. Because there is relatively negligible literature describing the pulp chamber floor anatomy, predicting the exact anatomical layout and its variations is daunting. A thorough comprehension and knowledge of the same is required for efficacious endodontic treatment consequence. The purpose of this study was to characterise and ascertain the pulp chamber floor anatomy of permanent mandibular first (ManFMs) and second (ManSMs) molars in an Indian population. Methods On 2,134 extracted human mandibular first (ManFMs = 1,067) and second molars (ManSMs = 1,067), a descriptive cross-sectional investigation was executed. Cleaning and removal of hard and soft tissue debris were performed, followed by flattening the anatomical crown until the pupal architecture was uncovered. A stereomicroscope with a magnification of 4.5 magnification was used to investigate the pulpal anatomy. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test, with 95% confidence intervals and a p value of 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The majority of the ManFMs showed presence of three canal orifices in 57.73%, followed by four orifices 31.31%, five orifices 8.81%, and six orifices 2.15%. For ManSMs, majorly three orifices were found in 39.83% specimens, followed by two orifices in 37.39%, four orifices in 16.31%, and single root canal orifice was observed in 6.47%. The mesio-buccal, mesio-lingual, disto-buccal, disto-lingual canal orifices exhibited round and oval shapes in both ManFMs and ManSMs. The shape was predominantly oval with a single distal canal orifice (84.25% ManFMs and 74.16% ManSMs). In ManSMs, among the single root canal orifice, 66.66% were round in shape and 33.34% were C-shaped. In ManSMs with two root canal orifices, mesially 79.44% exhibited oval and 20.56% round shape. Distally, 74.16% were oval and 25.84% were round. The shapes of the access cavities for …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ajinkya M. Pawar
creator: Shishir Singh
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Dentistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14392
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Pawar and Singh
abstract: Background Mandibular molars are multi-rooted teeth with a complex and strenuous root canal anatomy. Because there is relatively negligible literature describing the pulp chamber floor anatomy, predicting the exact anatomical layout and its variations is daunting. A thorough comprehension and knowledge of the same is required for efficacious endodontic treatment consequence. The purpose of this study was to characterise and ascertain the pulp chamber floor anatomy of permanent mandibular first (ManFMs) and second (ManSMs) molars in an Indian population. Methods On 2,134 extracted human mandibular first (ManFMs = 1,067) and second molars (ManSMs = 1,067), a descriptive cross-sectional investigation was executed. Cleaning and removal of hard and soft tissue debris were performed, followed by flattening the anatomical crown until the pupal architecture was uncovered. A stereomicroscope with a magnification of 4.5 magnification was used to investigate the pulpal anatomy. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test, with 95% confidence intervals and a p value of 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The majority of the ManFMs showed presence of three canal orifices in 57.73%, followed by four orifices 31.31%, five orifices 8.81%, and six orifices 2.15%. For ManSMs, majorly three orifices were found in 39.83% specimens, followed by two orifices in 37.39%, four orifices in 16.31%, and single root canal orifice was observed in 6.47%. The mesio-buccal, mesio-lingual, disto-buccal, disto-lingual canal orifices exhibited round and oval shapes in both ManFMs and ManSMs. The shape was predominantly oval with a single distal canal orifice (84.25% ManFMs and 74.16% ManSMs). In ManSMs, among the single root canal orifice, 66.66% were round in shape and 33.34% were C-shaped. In ManSMs with two root canal orifices, mesially 79.44% exhibited oval and 20.56% round shape. Distally, 74.16% were oval and 25.84% were round. The shapes of the access cavities for …
bibliographic citation: Pawar et al. (2022) The morphology of the pulp chamber floor of permanent mandibular first and second molars in an Indian subpopulation—a descriptive cross-sectional study employing Pawar and Singh classification. PeerJ 10:e14392 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14392
date submitted: 2022-08-22
date accepted: 2022-10-23
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pawar
  given name: Ajinkya M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Singh
  given name: Shishir
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14392
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Pawar and Singh
attribution name: Pawar and Singh

The evolution of unique cranial traits in leporid lagomorphs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The leporid lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) are adapted to running and leaping (some more than others) and consequently have unique anatomical features that distinguish them from ochotonid lagomorphs (pikas) and from their rodent relatives. Two traits that have received some attention are fenestration of the lateral wall of the maxilla and facial tilting. These features are known to correlate with specialised locomotory form in that the faster running species will generally have fenestration that occupies the dorsal and the anteroventral surface of the maxillary corpus and a more acute facial tilt angle. Another feature is an intracranial joint that circumscribes the back of the skull, thought to facilitate skull mobility. This joint separates the anterior portion of the cranium (including the dentition, rostrum and orbit) from the posterior portion of the cranium (which encompasses the occipital and the auditory complex). Aside from the observation that the intracranial joint is absent in pikas (generalist locomotors) and appears more elaborate in genera with cursorial and saltatorial locomotory habits, the evolutionary history, biomechanical function and comparative anatomy of this feature in leporids lacks a comprehensive evaluation. Methodology The present work analysed the intracranial joint, facial tilting and lateral fenestration of the wall of the maxilla in the context of leporid evolutionary history using a Bayesian inference of phylogeny (18 genera, 23 species) and ancestral state reconstruction. These methods were used to gather information about the likelihood of the presence of these three traits in ancestral groups. Results Our phylogenetic analyses found it likely that the last common ancestor of living leporids had some facial tilting, but that the last common ancestor of all lagomorphs included in the dataset did not. We found that it was likely that the last common ancestor of living leporids had fenestration that occupies the dorsal, bu…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Amber P. Wood-Bailey
creator: Philip G. Cox
creator: Alana C. Sharp
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14414
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Wood-Bailey et al.
abstract: Background The leporid lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) are adapted to running and leaping (some more than others) and consequently have unique anatomical features that distinguish them from ochotonid lagomorphs (pikas) and from their rodent relatives. Two traits that have received some attention are fenestration of the lateral wall of the maxilla and facial tilting. These features are known to correlate with specialised locomotory form in that the faster running species will generally have fenestration that occupies the dorsal and the anteroventral surface of the maxillary corpus and a more acute facial tilt angle. Another feature is an intracranial joint that circumscribes the back of the skull, thought to facilitate skull mobility. This joint separates the anterior portion of the cranium (including the dentition, rostrum and orbit) from the posterior portion of the cranium (which encompasses the occipital and the auditory complex). Aside from the observation that the intracranial joint is absent in pikas (generalist locomotors) and appears more elaborate in genera with cursorial and saltatorial locomotory habits, the evolutionary history, biomechanical function and comparative anatomy of this feature in leporids lacks a comprehensive evaluation. Methodology The present work analysed the intracranial joint, facial tilting and lateral fenestration of the wall of the maxilla in the context of leporid evolutionary history using a Bayesian inference of phylogeny (18 genera, 23 species) and ancestral state reconstruction. These methods were used to gather information about the likelihood of the presence of these three traits in ancestral groups. Results Our phylogenetic analyses found it likely that the last common ancestor of living leporids had some facial tilting, but that the last common ancestor of all lagomorphs included in the dataset did not. We found that it was likely that the last common ancestor of living leporids had fenestration that occupies the dorsal, bu…
bibliographic citation: Wood-Bailey et al. (2022) The evolution of unique cranial traits in leporid lagomorphs. PeerJ 10:e14414 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14414
date submitted: 2022-05-16
date accepted: 2022-10-28
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wood-Bailey
  given name: Amber P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cox
  given name: Philip G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sharp
  given name: Alana C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14414
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Wood-Bailey et al.
attribution name: Wood-Bailey et al.

Superimposed vibration on suspended push-ups
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Superimposition of vibration has been proposed in sports training using several devices and methods to enhance muscle activation and strength adaptations. Due to the popularity of suspension training, vibration systems have recently been developed to increase the effects of this training method. The present cross-sectional study aims to examine the effects of superimposing vibration on one of the most popular exercises in strength and conditioning programs: push-ups. Methods Twenty-eight physically active men and women executed push-ups in three suspended conditions (non-vibration, vibration at 25 Hz, and vibration at 40 Hz). OMNI-Res scale was registered, and surface electromyographic signals were measured for the activity of the right and left external oblique, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, sternal, and clavicular heads of the pectoralis major. Results A linear mixed model indicated a significant fixed effect for vibration at 25 Hz and 40 Hz on muscle activity. Suspended push-ups with superimposed vibration (25 Hz and 40 Hz) showed a significant higher activity on left (25 Hz: p = 0.036, d = 0.34; 40 Hz: p = 0.003, d = 0.48) and right external oblique (25 Hz: p = 0.004, d = 0.36; 40 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.59), anterior deltoid (25 Hz: p = 0.032, d = 0.44; 40 Hz: p = 0.003, d = 0.64), and global activity (25 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.55; 40 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.83) compared to non-vibration condition. Moreover, OMNI-Res significant differences were found at 25 Hz (6.04 ± 0.32, p = 0.000 d = 4.03 CI = 3.27, 4.79) and 40 Hz (6.21 ± 0.36 p = 0.00 d = 4.29 CI = 3.49, 5.08) compared to the non-vibration condition (4.75 ± 0.32). Conclusion Superimposing vibration is a feasible strategy to enhance the muscle activity of suspended push-ups.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bernat Buscà
creator: Joan Aguilera-Castells
creator: Jordi Arboix-Alió
creator: Adrià Miró
creator: Azahara Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe
creator: Pol Huertas
creator: Javier Peña
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14435
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Buscà et al.
abstract: Background Superimposition of vibration has been proposed in sports training using several devices and methods to enhance muscle activation and strength adaptations. Due to the popularity of suspension training, vibration systems have recently been developed to increase the effects of this training method. The present cross-sectional study aims to examine the effects of superimposing vibration on one of the most popular exercises in strength and conditioning programs: push-ups. Methods Twenty-eight physically active men and women executed push-ups in three suspended conditions (non-vibration, vibration at 25 Hz, and vibration at 40 Hz). OMNI-Res scale was registered, and surface electromyographic signals were measured for the activity of the right and left external oblique, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, sternal, and clavicular heads of the pectoralis major. Results A linear mixed model indicated a significant fixed effect for vibration at 25 Hz and 40 Hz on muscle activity. Suspended push-ups with superimposed vibration (25 Hz and 40 Hz) showed a significant higher activity on left (25 Hz: p = 0.036, d = 0.34; 40 Hz: p = 0.003, d = 0.48) and right external oblique (25 Hz: p = 0.004, d = 0.36; 40 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.59), anterior deltoid (25 Hz: p = 0.032, d = 0.44; 40 Hz: p = 0.003, d = 0.64), and global activity (25 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.55; 40 Hz: p = 0.000, d = 0.83) compared to non-vibration condition. Moreover, OMNI-Res significant differences were found at 25 Hz (6.04 ± 0.32, p = 0.000 d = 4.03 CI = 3.27, 4.79) and 40 Hz (6.21 ± 0.36 p = 0.00 d = 4.29 CI = 3.49, 5.08) compared to the non-vibration condition (4.75 ± 0.32). Conclusion Superimposing vibration is a feasible strategy to enhance the muscle activity of suspended push-ups.
bibliographic citation: Buscà et al. (2022) Superimposed vibration on suspended push-ups. PeerJ 10:e14435 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14435
date submitted: 2022-08-01
date accepted: 2022-10-31
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Buscà
  given name: Bernat
author list: Agent
  family name: Aguilera-Castells
  given name: Joan
author list: Agent
  family name: Arboix-Alió
  given name: Jordi
author list: Agent
  family name: Miró
  given name: Adrià
author list: Agent
  family name: Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe
  given name: Azahara
author list: Agent
  family name: Huertas
  given name: Pol
author list: Agent
  family name: Peña
  given name: Javier
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14435
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: ©2022 Buscà et al.
attribution name: Buscà et al.

Insights into the vaginal microbiome in a diverse group of women of African, Asian and European ancestries
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Intra-continentally, vaginal microbiome signatures are reported to be significantly different between Black and Caucasian women, with women of African ancestry having the less well defined heterogenous bacterial community state type (CST) deficient of Lactobacillus species (CST IV). The objective of this study was to characterize the vaginal microbiomes across a more diverse intercontinental group of women (N = 151) of different ethnicities (African American, African Kenyan, Afro-Caribbean, Asian Indonesian and Caucasian German) using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to determine their structures and offer a comprehensive description of the non-Lactobacillus dominant CSTs and subtypes. Results In this study, the bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiomes differed significantly among the ethnic groups. Lactobacillus spp. (L. crispatus and L. iners) dominated the vaginal microbiomes in African American women (91.8%) compared to European (German, 42.4%), Asian (Indonesian, 45.0%), African (Kenyan, 34.4%) and Afro-Caribbean (26.1%) women. Expanding on CST classification, three subtypes of CST IV (CST IV-A, IV-B and IV-C) (N = 56, 37.1%) and four additional CSTs were described: CST VI Gardnerella vaginalis—dominant (N = 6, 21.8%); CST VII (Prevotella—dominant, N = 1, 0.66%); CST VIII (N = 9, 5.96%), resembling aerobic vaginitis, was differentiated by a high proportion of taxa such as Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus (relative abundance [RA] > 50%) and CST IX (N = 7, 4.64%) dominated by genera other than Lactobacillus, Gardnerella or Prevotella (e.g., Bifidobacterium breve and Anaerococcus vaginalis). Within the vaginal microbiomes, 32 “taxa with high pathogenic potential” (THPP) were identified. Collectively, THPP (mean RA ~5.24%) negatively correlated (rs = −0.68, p < 2.2e−16) with Lactobacillus species but not significantly with Gardnerella/Prevotella spp. combined (r = −0.13, p = 0.1). However, at the individual level, Mycoplasma hominis …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Orville St. E. Roachford
creator: Angela T. Alleyne
creator: Karen E. Nelson
subject: Genomics
subject: Microbiology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14449
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Roachford et al.
abstract: Background Intra-continentally, vaginal microbiome signatures are reported to be significantly different between Black and Caucasian women, with women of African ancestry having the less well defined heterogenous bacterial community state type (CST) deficient of Lactobacillus species (CST IV). The objective of this study was to characterize the vaginal microbiomes across a more diverse intercontinental group of women (N = 151) of different ethnicities (African American, African Kenyan, Afro-Caribbean, Asian Indonesian and Caucasian German) using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to determine their structures and offer a comprehensive description of the non-Lactobacillus dominant CSTs and subtypes. Results In this study, the bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiomes differed significantly among the ethnic groups. Lactobacillus spp. (L. crispatus and L. iners) dominated the vaginal microbiomes in African American women (91.8%) compared to European (German, 42.4%), Asian (Indonesian, 45.0%), African (Kenyan, 34.4%) and Afro-Caribbean (26.1%) women. Expanding on CST classification, three subtypes of CST IV (CST IV-A, IV-B and IV-C) (N = 56, 37.1%) and four additional CSTs were described: CST VI Gardnerella vaginalis—dominant (N = 6, 21.8%); CST VII (Prevotella—dominant, N = 1, 0.66%); CST VIII (N = 9, 5.96%), resembling aerobic vaginitis, was differentiated by a high proportion of taxa such as Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus (relative abundance [RA] > 50%) and CST IX (N = 7, 4.64%) dominated by genera other than Lactobacillus, Gardnerella or Prevotella (e.g., Bifidobacterium breve and Anaerococcus vaginalis). Within the vaginal microbiomes, 32 “taxa with high pathogenic potential” (THPP) were identified. Collectively, THPP (mean RA ~5.24%) negatively correlated (rs = −0.68, p < 2.2e−16) with Lactobacillus species but not significantly with Gardnerella/Prevotella spp. combined (r = −0.13, p = 0.1). However, at the individual level, Mycoplasma hominis …
bibliographic citation: Roachford et al. (2022) Insights into the vaginal microbiome in a diverse group of women of African, Asian and European ancestries. PeerJ 10:e14449 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14449
date submitted: 2022-04-28
date accepted: 2022-11-01
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Roachford
  given name: Orville St. E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alleyne
  given name: Angela T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Nelson
  given name: Karen E.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14449
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Roachford et al.
attribution name: Roachford et al.

Exogenous melatonin improves salt tolerance mainly by regulating the antioxidant system in cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Melatonin is a multifunctional nontoxic bio-stimulant or signaling molecule, generally distributing in different animal and plant organs for invigorating numerous physiological processes against abiotic stresses. In this study, we investigated the potential impact of melatonin on the cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme when exposed to salt stress according to some biochemical and physiological parameters, such as relative electrolyte leakage, PSII activity, and photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll a, phycocyanobilin, and phycoerythrobilin. We found that melatonin could also maintain K+ homeostasis in salt-stressed N. flagelliforme. These above results confirmed melatonin had multiple functions in hyperosmotic stress and ion stress caused by salinity. Notably, we observed melatonin could regulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal and distinctly decrease the content of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion in salt-stressed cells, which were largely attributed to the increased antioxidant enzymes activities including catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis showed that melatonin stimulated the expression of antioxidant genes (NfCAT, NfSOD, and NfGR). In general, our findings demonstrate melatonin has beneficial effects on N. flagelliforme under salt stress by intensively regulating antioxidant system.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiaolong Yuan
creator: Jing An
creator: Tao Zheng
creator: Wenjian Liu
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14479
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Yuan et al.
abstract: Melatonin is a multifunctional nontoxic bio-stimulant or signaling molecule, generally distributing in different animal and plant organs for invigorating numerous physiological processes against abiotic stresses. In this study, we investigated the potential impact of melatonin on the cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme when exposed to salt stress according to some biochemical and physiological parameters, such as relative electrolyte leakage, PSII activity, and photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll a, phycocyanobilin, and phycoerythrobilin. We found that melatonin could also maintain K+ homeostasis in salt-stressed N. flagelliforme. These above results confirmed melatonin had multiple functions in hyperosmotic stress and ion stress caused by salinity. Notably, we observed melatonin could regulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal and distinctly decrease the content of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion in salt-stressed cells, which were largely attributed to the increased antioxidant enzymes activities including catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis showed that melatonin stimulated the expression of antioxidant genes (NfCAT, NfSOD, and NfGR). In general, our findings demonstrate melatonin has beneficial effects on N. flagelliforme under salt stress by intensively regulating antioxidant system.
bibliographic citation: Yuan et al. (2022) Exogenous melatonin improves salt tolerance mainly by regulating the antioxidant system in cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme. PeerJ 10:e14479 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14479
date submitted: 2022-07-01
date accepted: 2022-11-07
issued: 2022-11-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Xiaolong
author list: Agent
  family name: An
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Wenjian
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14479
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-29
copyright: © 2022 Yuan et al.
attribution name: Yuan et al.

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