PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Stroke-related length of hospitalization trends and in-hospital mortality in Peru
items: No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition in a species with asymmetric male genitalia
items: A multi-reference poly-conformational method for in silico design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds illustrated for selected SARS-CoV-2 ligands
items: Mislabeling and nomenclatorial confusion of Typhlotanais sandersi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1985 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) and establishment of a new genus
items: Effects of motor imagery training on skeletal muscle contractile properties in sports science students
items: Evidence for stronger discrimination between conspecific and heterospecific mating partners in sexual vs. asexual female freshwater snails
items: Evaluation of film stimuli for the assessment of social-emotional processing: a pilot study
items: Comprehensive proteomic and metabolomic analysis uncover the response of okra to drought stress
items: Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptors causes severe craniofacial malformations in zebrafish larvae
items: Augmented anticancer effect and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using Taxus wallichiana leaf extract

Stroke-related length of hospitalization trends and in-hospital mortality in Peru
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Peru faces challenges to provide adequate care to stroke patients. Length of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality are two well-known indicators of stroke care. We aimed to describe the length of stay (LOS) of stroke in Peru, and to assess in-hospital mortality risk due to stroke, and subtypes. Methods This retrospective cohort study used hospitalization registries coding with ICD-10 from 2002 to 2017 (N = 98,605) provided by the Ministry of Health; in-hospital mortality was available for 2016–2017 (N = 6,566). Stroke cases aged ≥35 years were divided into subarachnoid hemorrhage (I60), intracerebral hemorrhage (I61), cerebral infarction (I63), and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (I64). Data included stroke LOS and in-hospital mortality; socio-demographic and clinical variables. We fitted a region- and hospital level-stratified Weibull proportional hazard model to assess the in-hospital mortality. Results The median LOS was 7 days (IQR: 4–13). Hemorrhagic strokes had median LOS longer than ischemic strokes and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (P = <0.001). The case fatality rate (CFR) of patients with stroke was 11.5% (95% CI [10–12%]). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR = 2.45; 95% CI [1.91–3.14]), intracerebral hemorrhage (HR = 1.95; 95% CI [1.55–2.46]), and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (HR = 1.45; 95% CI [1.16–1.81]) were associated with higher in-hospital mortality risk in comparison to ischemic strokes. Discussion Between 2002 and 2017, LOS due to stroke has not changed in Peru in stroke patients discharged alive. Hemorrhagic cases had the longest LOS and highest in-hospital mortality risk during 2016 and 2017. The findings of our study seem to be consistent with a previous study carried out in Peru and similar to that of HIC and LMIC, also there is an increased median LOS in stroke cases managed in specialized centers. Likewise, LOS seems to depend on the type of stroke, where ischemic stroke cases h…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: L. Max Labán-Seminario
creator: Rodrigo M. Carrillo-Larco
creator: Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Neurology
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14467
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Labán-Seminario et al.
abstract: Background Peru faces challenges to provide adequate care to stroke patients. Length of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality are two well-known indicators of stroke care. We aimed to describe the length of stay (LOS) of stroke in Peru, and to assess in-hospital mortality risk due to stroke, and subtypes. Methods This retrospective cohort study used hospitalization registries coding with ICD-10 from 2002 to 2017 (N = 98,605) provided by the Ministry of Health; in-hospital mortality was available for 2016–2017 (N = 6,566). Stroke cases aged ≥35 years were divided into subarachnoid hemorrhage (I60), intracerebral hemorrhage (I61), cerebral infarction (I63), and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (I64). Data included stroke LOS and in-hospital mortality; socio-demographic and clinical variables. We fitted a region- and hospital level-stratified Weibull proportional hazard model to assess the in-hospital mortality. Results The median LOS was 7 days (IQR: 4–13). Hemorrhagic strokes had median LOS longer than ischemic strokes and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (P = <0.001). The case fatality rate (CFR) of patients with stroke was 11.5% (95% CI [10–12%]). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR = 2.45; 95% CI [1.91–3.14]), intracerebral hemorrhage (HR = 1.95; 95% CI [1.55–2.46]), and stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (HR = 1.45; 95% CI [1.16–1.81]) were associated with higher in-hospital mortality risk in comparison to ischemic strokes. Discussion Between 2002 and 2017, LOS due to stroke has not changed in Peru in stroke patients discharged alive. Hemorrhagic cases had the longest LOS and highest in-hospital mortality risk during 2016 and 2017. The findings of our study seem to be consistent with a previous study carried out in Peru and similar to that of HIC and LMIC, also there is an increased median LOS in stroke cases managed in specialized centers. Likewise, LOS seems to depend on the type of stroke, where ischemic stroke cases h…
bibliographic citation: Labán-Seminario et al. (2022) Stroke-related length of hospitalization trends and in-hospital mortality in Peru. PeerJ 10:e14467 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14467
date submitted: 2022-01-25
date accepted: 2022-11-04
issued: 2022-11-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Labán-Seminario
  given name: L. Max
author list: Agent
  family name: Carrillo-Larco
  given name: Rodrigo M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bernabé-Ortiz
  given name: Antonio
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14467
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-25
copyright: © 2022 Labán-Seminario et al.
attribution name: Labán-Seminario et al.

No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition in a species with asymmetric male genitalia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Asymmetric genitalia have repeatedly evolved in animals, yet the underlying causes for their evolution are mostly unknown. The fruit fly Drosophila pachea has asymmetric external genitalia and an asymmetric phallus with a right-sided phallotrema (opening for sperm release). The complex of female and male genitalia is asymmetrically twisted during copulation and males adopt a right-sided copulation posture on top of the female. We wished to investigate if asymmetric male genital morphology and a twisted gentitalia complex may be associated with differential allocation of sperm into female sperm storage organs. Methods We examined the internal complex of female and male reproductive organs by micro-computed tomography and synchrotron X-ray tomography before, during and after copulation. In addition, we monitored sperm aggregation states and timing of sperm transfer during copulation by premature interruption of copulation at different time-points. Results The asymmetric phallus is located at the most caudal end of the female abdomen during copulation. The female reproductive tract, in particular the oviduct, re-arranges during copulation. It is narrow in virgin females and forms a broad vesicle at 20 min after the start of copulation. Sperm transfer into female sperm storage organs (spermathecae) was only in a minority of examined copulation trials (13/64). Also, we found that sperm was mainly transferred early, at 2–4 min after the start of copulation. We did not detect a particular pattern of sperm allocation in the left or right spermathecae. Sperm adopted a granular or filamentous aggregation state in the female uterus and spermathecae, respectively. Discussion No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition was identified that could be associated with asymmetric genital morphology or twisted complexing of genitalia. Male genital asymmetry may potentially have evolved as a consequence of a complex internal alignment of reproductive organs during copulation …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sanne van Gammeren
creator: Michael Lang
creator: Martin Rücklin
creator: Menno Schilthuizen
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Entomology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14225
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 van Gammeren et al.
abstract: Background Asymmetric genitalia have repeatedly evolved in animals, yet the underlying causes for their evolution are mostly unknown. The fruit fly Drosophila pachea has asymmetric external genitalia and an asymmetric phallus with a right-sided phallotrema (opening for sperm release). The complex of female and male genitalia is asymmetrically twisted during copulation and males adopt a right-sided copulation posture on top of the female. We wished to investigate if asymmetric male genital morphology and a twisted gentitalia complex may be associated with differential allocation of sperm into female sperm storage organs. Methods We examined the internal complex of female and male reproductive organs by micro-computed tomography and synchrotron X-ray tomography before, during and after copulation. In addition, we monitored sperm aggregation states and timing of sperm transfer during copulation by premature interruption of copulation at different time-points. Results The asymmetric phallus is located at the most caudal end of the female abdomen during copulation. The female reproductive tract, in particular the oviduct, re-arranges during copulation. It is narrow in virgin females and forms a broad vesicle at 20 min after the start of copulation. Sperm transfer into female sperm storage organs (spermathecae) was only in a minority of examined copulation trials (13/64). Also, we found that sperm was mainly transferred early, at 2–4 min after the start of copulation. We did not detect a particular pattern of sperm allocation in the left or right spermathecae. Sperm adopted a granular or filamentous aggregation state in the female uterus and spermathecae, respectively. Discussion No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition was identified that could be associated with asymmetric genital morphology or twisted complexing of genitalia. Male genital asymmetry may potentially have evolved as a consequence of a complex internal alignment of reproductive organs during copulation …
bibliographic citation: van Gammeren et al. (2022) No evidence for asymmetric sperm deposition in a species with asymmetric male genitalia. PeerJ 10:e14225 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14225
date submitted: 2022-04-12
date accepted: 2022-09-21
issued: 2022-11-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: van Gammeren
  given name: Sanne
author list: Agent
  family name: Lang
  given name: Michael
author list: Agent
  family name: Rücklin
  given name: Martin
author list: Agent
  family name: Schilthuizen
  given name: Menno
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14225
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-24
copyright: ©2022 van Gammeren et al.
attribution name: van Gammeren et al.

A multi-reference poly-conformational method for in silico design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds illustrated for selected SARS-CoV-2 ligands
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background This work presents a novel computational multi-reference poly-conformational algorithm for design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds. Methods The algorithm searches for candidates by comparing similarities between conformers of the same compound and identifies target compounds, whose conformers are collectively close to the conformers of each compound in the reference set. Reference compounds may possess highly variable MoAs, which directly, and simultaneously, shape the properties of target candidate compounds. Results The algorithm functionality has been case study validated in silico, by scoring ChEMBL drugs against FDA-approved reference compounds that either have the highest predicted binding affinity to our chosen SARS-CoV-2 targets or are confirmed to be inhibiting such targets in-vivo. All our top scoring ChEMBL compounds also turned out to be either high-affinity ligands to the chosen targets (as confirmed in separate studies) or show significant efficacy, in-vivo, against those selected targets. In addition to method case study validation, in silico search for new compounds within two virtual libraries from the Enamine database is presented. The library’s virtual compounds have been compared to the same set of reference drugs that we used for case study validation: Olaparib, Tadalafil, Ergotamine and Remdesivir. The large reference set of four potential SARS-CoV-2 compounds has been selected, since no drug has been identified to be 100% effective against the virus so far, possibly because each candidate drug was targeting only one, particular MoA. The goal here was to introduce a new methodology for identifying potential candidate(s) that cover multiple MoA-s presented within a set of reference compounds.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Vadim Alexandrov
creator: Alexander Kirpich
creator: Omar Kantidze
creator: Yuriy Gankin
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14252
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Alexandrov et al.
abstract: Background This work presents a novel computational multi-reference poly-conformational algorithm for design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds. Methods The algorithm searches for candidates by comparing similarities between conformers of the same compound and identifies target compounds, whose conformers are collectively close to the conformers of each compound in the reference set. Reference compounds may possess highly variable MoAs, which directly, and simultaneously, shape the properties of target candidate compounds. Results The algorithm functionality has been case study validated in silico, by scoring ChEMBL drugs against FDA-approved reference compounds that either have the highest predicted binding affinity to our chosen SARS-CoV-2 targets or are confirmed to be inhibiting such targets in-vivo. All our top scoring ChEMBL compounds also turned out to be either high-affinity ligands to the chosen targets (as confirmed in separate studies) or show significant efficacy, in-vivo, against those selected targets. In addition to method case study validation, in silico search for new compounds within two virtual libraries from the Enamine database is presented. The library’s virtual compounds have been compared to the same set of reference drugs that we used for case study validation: Olaparib, Tadalafil, Ergotamine and Remdesivir. The large reference set of four potential SARS-CoV-2 compounds has been selected, since no drug has been identified to be 100% effective against the virus so far, possibly because each candidate drug was targeting only one, particular MoA. The goal here was to introduce a new methodology for identifying potential candidate(s) that cover multiple MoA-s presented within a set of reference compounds.
bibliographic citation: Alexandrov et al. (2022) A multi-reference poly-conformational method for in silico design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds illustrated for selected SARS-CoV-2 ligands. PeerJ 10:e14252 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14252
date submitted: 2022-03-28
date accepted: 2022-09-26
issued: 2022-11-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alexandrov
  given name: Vadim
author list: Agent
  family name: Kirpich
  given name: Alexander
author list: Agent
  family name: Kantidze
  given name: Omar
author list: Agent
  family name: Gankin
  given name: Yuriy
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14252
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-24
copyright: ©2022 Alexandrov et al.
attribution name: Alexandrov et al.

Mislabeling and nomenclatorial confusion of Typhlotanais sandersi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1985 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) and establishment of a new genus
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Re-examination of historical collections allowed us to resolve the taxonomic status of Typhlotanais sandersi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1985, originally described based on a single specimen from Great-Meteor Seamount. The holotype of this species was considered lost and the species redescribed based on a second specimen from the type locality by Błażewicz-Paszkowycz (2007a), who placed Ty. sandersi on a newly established genus Typhlamia. Thorough morphological analysis of Typhlamia and Typhlotanais species and recently obtained genetic data of typhlotanaids from N Atlantic and NW Pacific waters allow us to conclude that the redescription of Ty. sandersi by Błażewicz-Paszkowycz (2007a) was based on a wrongly labelled specimen that, rather than a type of Ty. sandersi, represents in fact a new species of Typhlamia. The morphological comparison of the type species of Typhlotanais (Ty. aequiremis) with all ‘long-bodied’ typhlotanaid taxa with rounded pereonites margins (i.e., Typhlamia, Pulcherella, Torquella), and the use of genetic evidence, support the establishment of a new genus to accommodate: Ty. sandersi, Ty. angusticheles Kudinova-Pasternak, 1989, and a third species from N Atlantic waters, that is described here for the first time. Current knowledge on ‘long-bodied’ typhlotanaids with rounded pereonites is summarised and a taxonomical key for their identification provided.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marta Gellert
creator: Ferran Palero
creator: Magdalena Błażewicz
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14272
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Gellert et al.
abstract: Re-examination of historical collections allowed us to resolve the taxonomic status of Typhlotanais sandersi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1985, originally described based on a single specimen from Great-Meteor Seamount. The holotype of this species was considered lost and the species redescribed based on a second specimen from the type locality by Błażewicz-Paszkowycz (2007a), who placed Ty. sandersi on a newly established genus Typhlamia. Thorough morphological analysis of Typhlamia and Typhlotanais species and recently obtained genetic data of typhlotanaids from N Atlantic and NW Pacific waters allow us to conclude that the redescription of Ty. sandersi by Błażewicz-Paszkowycz (2007a) was based on a wrongly labelled specimen that, rather than a type of Ty. sandersi, represents in fact a new species of Typhlamia. The morphological comparison of the type species of Typhlotanais (Ty. aequiremis) with all ‘long-bodied’ typhlotanaid taxa with rounded pereonites margins (i.e., Typhlamia, Pulcherella, Torquella), and the use of genetic evidence, support the establishment of a new genus to accommodate: Ty. sandersi, Ty. angusticheles Kudinova-Pasternak, 1989, and a third species from N Atlantic waters, that is described here for the first time. Current knowledge on ‘long-bodied’ typhlotanaids with rounded pereonites is summarised and a taxonomical key for their identification provided.
bibliographic citation: Gellert et al. (2022) Mislabeling and nomenclatorial confusion of Typhlotanais sandersi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1985 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) and establishment of a new genus. PeerJ 10:e14272 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14272
date submitted: 2022-06-14
date accepted: 2022-09-28
issued: 2022-11-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gellert
  given name: Marta
author list: Agent
  family name: Palero
  given name: Ferran
author list: Agent
  family name: Błażewicz
  given name: Magdalena
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14272
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-24
copyright: © 2022 Gellert et al.
attribution name: Gellert et al.

Effects of motor imagery training on skeletal muscle contractile properties in sports science students
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Studies on motor imagery (MI) practice based on different designs and training protocols have reported changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength. However, to date, there is a lack of information on the effects of MI training on contractile properties of the trained muscle. Methods Forty-five physically active sport science students (21 female) were investigated who trained three times per week over a 4-week period in one of three groups: An MI group conducted MI practice of maximal isometric contraction of the biceps brachii; a physical exercise (PE) group physically practiced maximal isometric contractions of the biceps brachii in a biceps curling machine; and a visual imagery (VI) group performed VI training of a landscape. A MVC test of the arm flexors was performed in a biceps curling machine before and after 4 weeks of training. The muscular properties of the biceps brachii were also tested with tensiomyography measurements (TMG). Results Results showed an interaction effect between time and group for MVC (p = 0.027, η2 = 0.17), with a higher MVC value in the PE group (Δ5.9%) compared to the VI group (Δ −1.3%) (p = 0.013). MVC did not change significantly in the MI group (Δ2.1%). Analysis of muscle contractility via TMG did not show any interaction effects neither for maximal radial displacement (p = 0.394, η2 = 0.05), delay time (p = 0.79, η2 = 0.01) nor contraction velocity (p = 0.71, η2 = 0.02). Conclusion In spite of MVC-related changes in the PE group due to the interventions, TMG measurements were not sensitive enough to detect concomitant neuronal changes related to contractile properties.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Björn Wieland
creator: Michael Behringer
creator: Karen Zentgraf
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14412
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Wieland et al.
abstract: Background Studies on motor imagery (MI) practice based on different designs and training protocols have reported changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength. However, to date, there is a lack of information on the effects of MI training on contractile properties of the trained muscle. Methods Forty-five physically active sport science students (21 female) were investigated who trained three times per week over a 4-week period in one of three groups: An MI group conducted MI practice of maximal isometric contraction of the biceps brachii; a physical exercise (PE) group physically practiced maximal isometric contractions of the biceps brachii in a biceps curling machine; and a visual imagery (VI) group performed VI training of a landscape. A MVC test of the arm flexors was performed in a biceps curling machine before and after 4 weeks of training. The muscular properties of the biceps brachii were also tested with tensiomyography measurements (TMG). Results Results showed an interaction effect between time and group for MVC (p = 0.027, η2 = 0.17), with a higher MVC value in the PE group (Δ5.9%) compared to the VI group (Δ −1.3%) (p = 0.013). MVC did not change significantly in the MI group (Δ2.1%). Analysis of muscle contractility via TMG did not show any interaction effects neither for maximal radial displacement (p = 0.394, η2 = 0.05), delay time (p = 0.79, η2 = 0.01) nor contraction velocity (p = 0.71, η2 = 0.02). Conclusion In spite of MVC-related changes in the PE group due to the interventions, TMG measurements were not sensitive enough to detect concomitant neuronal changes related to contractile properties.
bibliographic citation: Wieland et al. (2022) Effects of motor imagery training on skeletal muscle contractile properties in sports science students. PeerJ 10:e14412 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14412
date submitted: 2022-09-16
date accepted: 2022-10-27
issued: 2022-11-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wieland
  given name: Björn
author list: Agent
  family name: Behringer
  given name: Michael
author list: Agent
  family name: Zentgraf
  given name: Karen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14412
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-24
copyright: ©2022 Wieland et al.
attribution name: Wieland et al.

Evidence for stronger discrimination between conspecific and heterospecific mating partners in sexual vs. asexual female freshwater snails
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Once-useful traits that no longer contribute to fitness tend to decay over time. Here, we address whether the expression of mating-related traits that increase the fitness of sexually reproducing individuals but are likely less useful or even costly to asexual counterparts seems to exhibit decay in the latter. Potamopyrgus antipodarum is a New Zealand freshwater snail characterized by repeated transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction. The frequent coexistence of sexual and asexual lineages makes P. antipodarum an excellent model for the study of mating-related trait loss. Under the presumption (inherent in the Biological Species Concept) that failure to discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific mating partners represents a poor mate choice, we used a mating choice assay including sexual and asexual P. antipodarum females and conspecific (presumed better choice) vs. heterospecific (presumed worse choice) males to evaluate the loss of behavioral traits related to sexual reproduction. We found that sexual females engaged in mating behaviors with conspecific mating partners more frequently and for a greater duration than with heterospecific mating partners. By contrast, asexual females mated at similar frequency and duration as sexual females, but did not mate more often or for longer duration with conspecific vs. heterospecific males. While further confirmation will require inclusion of a more diverse array of sexual and asexual lineages, these results are consistent with a scenario where selection acting to maintain effective mate discrimination in asexual P. antipodarum is weak or ineffective relative to sexual females and, thus, where asexual reproduction is associated with the evolutionary decay of mating-related traits in this system.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sydney Stork
creator: Joseph Jalinsky
creator: Maurine Neiman
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14470
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Stork et al.
abstract: Once-useful traits that no longer contribute to fitness tend to decay over time. Here, we address whether the expression of mating-related traits that increase the fitness of sexually reproducing individuals but are likely less useful or even costly to asexual counterparts seems to exhibit decay in the latter. Potamopyrgus antipodarum is a New Zealand freshwater snail characterized by repeated transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction. The frequent coexistence of sexual and asexual lineages makes P. antipodarum an excellent model for the study of mating-related trait loss. Under the presumption (inherent in the Biological Species Concept) that failure to discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific mating partners represents a poor mate choice, we used a mating choice assay including sexual and asexual P. antipodarum females and conspecific (presumed better choice) vs. heterospecific (presumed worse choice) males to evaluate the loss of behavioral traits related to sexual reproduction. We found that sexual females engaged in mating behaviors with conspecific mating partners more frequently and for a greater duration than with heterospecific mating partners. By contrast, asexual females mated at similar frequency and duration as sexual females, but did not mate more often or for longer duration with conspecific vs. heterospecific males. While further confirmation will require inclusion of a more diverse array of sexual and asexual lineages, these results are consistent with a scenario where selection acting to maintain effective mate discrimination in asexual P. antipodarum is weak or ineffective relative to sexual females and, thus, where asexual reproduction is associated with the evolutionary decay of mating-related traits in this system.
bibliographic citation: Stork et al. (2022) Evidence for stronger discrimination between conspecific and heterospecific mating partners in sexual vs. asexual female freshwater snails. PeerJ 10:e14470 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14470
date submitted: 2022-08-01
date accepted: 2022-11-06
issued: 2022-11-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Stork
  given name: Sydney
author list: Agent
  family name: Jalinsky
  given name: Joseph
author list: Agent
  family name: Neiman
  given name: Maurine
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14470
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-24
copyright: © 2022 Stork et al.
attribution name: Stork et al.

Evaluation of film stimuli for the assessment of social-emotional processing: a pilot study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Difficulties in top-down and bottom-up emotion generation have been proposed to play a key role in the progression of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the current study was to develop more ecologically valid measures of top-down interpretation biases and bottom-up evoked emotional responses. Methods A total of 124 healthy female participants aged 18–25 took part in the study. We evaluated two sets of 18 brief film clips. The first set of film clips presented ambiguous social situations designed to examine interpretation biases. Participants provided written interpretations of each ambiguous film clip which were subjected to sentiment analysis. We compared the films in terms of the valence of participants interpretations. The second set of film clips presented neutral and emotionally provoking social scenarios designed to elicit subjective and facial emotional responses. While viewing these film clips participants mood ratings and facial affect were recorded and analysed using exploratory factor analyses. Results Most of the 18 ambiguous film clips were interpreted in the expected manner while still retaining some ambiguity. However, participants were more attuned to the negative cues in the ambiguous film clips and three film clips were identified as unambiguous. These films clips were deemed unsuitable for assessing interpretation bias. The exploratory factor analyses of participants’ mood ratings and evoked facial affect showed that the positive and negative emotionally provoking film clips formed their own factors as expected. However, there was substantial cross-loading of the neutral film clips when participants’ facial expression data was analysed. Discussion A subset of the film clips from the two tasks could be used to assess top-down interpretation biases and bottom-up evoked emotional responses. Ambiguous negatively valenced film clips should have more subtle negative cues to avoid ceiling effects and to ensure there is enough room for interpre…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jenni Leppanen
creator: Olivia Patsalos
creator: Sophie Surguladze
creator: Jess Kerr-Gaffney
creator: Steven Williams
creator: Ketevan Tchanturia
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14160
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Leppanen et al.
abstract: Background Difficulties in top-down and bottom-up emotion generation have been proposed to play a key role in the progression of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the current study was to develop more ecologically valid measures of top-down interpretation biases and bottom-up evoked emotional responses. Methods A total of 124 healthy female participants aged 18–25 took part in the study. We evaluated two sets of 18 brief film clips. The first set of film clips presented ambiguous social situations designed to examine interpretation biases. Participants provided written interpretations of each ambiguous film clip which were subjected to sentiment analysis. We compared the films in terms of the valence of participants interpretations. The second set of film clips presented neutral and emotionally provoking social scenarios designed to elicit subjective and facial emotional responses. While viewing these film clips participants mood ratings and facial affect were recorded and analysed using exploratory factor analyses. Results Most of the 18 ambiguous film clips were interpreted in the expected manner while still retaining some ambiguity. However, participants were more attuned to the negative cues in the ambiguous film clips and three film clips were identified as unambiguous. These films clips were deemed unsuitable for assessing interpretation bias. The exploratory factor analyses of participants’ mood ratings and evoked facial affect showed that the positive and negative emotionally provoking film clips formed their own factors as expected. However, there was substantial cross-loading of the neutral film clips when participants’ facial expression data was analysed. Discussion A subset of the film clips from the two tasks could be used to assess top-down interpretation biases and bottom-up evoked emotional responses. Ambiguous negatively valenced film clips should have more subtle negative cues to avoid ceiling effects and to ensure there is enough room for interpre…
bibliographic citation: Leppanen et al. (2022) Evaluation of film stimuli for the assessment of social-emotional processing: a pilot study. PeerJ 10:e14160 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14160
date submitted: 2022-04-08
date accepted: 2022-09-09
issued: 2022-11-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Leppanen
  given name: Jenni
author list: Agent
  family name: Patsalos
  given name: Olivia
author list: Agent
  family name: Surguladze
  given name: Sophie
author list: Agent
  family name: Kerr-Gaffney
  given name: Jess
author list: Agent
  family name: Williams
  given name: Steven
author list: Agent
  family name: Tchanturia
  given name: Ketevan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14160
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-23
copyright: ©2022 Leppanen et al.
attribution name: Leppanen et al.

Comprehensive proteomic and metabolomic analysis uncover the response of okra to drought stress
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The response of okra to drought stress is very complicated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remains ambiguous up to now. In this study, different degrees of water-stress responses of okra leaf were explained by using transcriptomics and metabolomic approaches. The photosynthesis and glycometabolism in okra leaf were both adversely affected by drought stress, leading to inhibition of the carbohydrate metabolic process, and then influencing the secondary plant metabolism. Further, drought stress disturbed amino acid metabolism, especially for the tyrosine-derived pathway as well as arginine and proline metabolism, which have been shown to be significantly enriched under water withholding conditions based on multi-omics conjoint analysis (transcriptome, proteome and metabolome). In-depth analysis of the internal linkages between differentially expressed transcripts, proteins, and metabolites decidedly indicate that tyrosine metabolism could confer tolerance to drought stress by influencing carbon and nitrogen metabolism. These findings provide a whole framework of the regulation and relationships of major transcripts and peptides related to secondary metabolism, particularly, the role of critical proteins and metabolite involved in the change of amino acid metabolism in response to drought stress.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jiyue Wang
creator: Denghong Shi
creator: Yu Bai
creator: Ting Zhang
creator: Yan Wu
creator: Zhenghong Liu
creator: Lian Jiang
creator: Lin Ye
creator: Zele Peng
creator: Hui Yuan
creator: Yan Liu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Genomics
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14312
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Wang et al.
abstract: The response of okra to drought stress is very complicated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remains ambiguous up to now. In this study, different degrees of water-stress responses of okra leaf were explained by using transcriptomics and metabolomic approaches. The photosynthesis and glycometabolism in okra leaf were both adversely affected by drought stress, leading to inhibition of the carbohydrate metabolic process, and then influencing the secondary plant metabolism. Further, drought stress disturbed amino acid metabolism, especially for the tyrosine-derived pathway as well as arginine and proline metabolism, which have been shown to be significantly enriched under water withholding conditions based on multi-omics conjoint analysis (transcriptome, proteome and metabolome). In-depth analysis of the internal linkages between differentially expressed transcripts, proteins, and metabolites decidedly indicate that tyrosine metabolism could confer tolerance to drought stress by influencing carbon and nitrogen metabolism. These findings provide a whole framework of the regulation and relationships of major transcripts and peptides related to secondary metabolism, particularly, the role of critical proteins and metabolite involved in the change of amino acid metabolism in response to drought stress.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2022) Comprehensive proteomic and metabolomic analysis uncover the response of okra to drought stress. PeerJ 10:e14312 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14312
date submitted: 2022-07-08
date accepted: 2022-10-06
issued: 2022-11-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jiyue
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Denghong
author list: Agent
  family name: Bai
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Ting
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Zhenghong
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Lian
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Lin
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Zele
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14312
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-23
copyright: © 2022 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptors causes severe craniofacial malformations in zebrafish larvae
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background and Objective A key pathway controlling skeletal development is fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling. Major regulatory functions of FGF signaling are chondrogenesis, endochondral and intramembranous bone development. In this study we focus on fgfr2, as mutations in this gene are found in patients with craniofacial malformations. The high degree of conservation between FGF signaling of human and zebrafish (Danio rerio) tempted us to investigate effects of the mutated fgfr2sa10729 allele in zebrafish on cartilage and bone formation. Methods We stained cartilage and bone in 5 days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae and compared mutants with wildtypes. We also determined the expression of genes related to these processes. We further investigated whether pharmacological blocking of all FGFRs with the inhibitor BGJ398, during 0–12 and 24–36 h post fertilization (hpf), affected craniofacial structure development at 5 dpf. Results We found only subtle differences in craniofacial morphology between wildtypes and mutants, likely because of receptor redundancy. After exposure to BGJ398, we found dose-dependent cartilage and bone malformations, with more severe defects in fish exposed during 0–12 hpf. These results suggest impairment of cranial neural crest cell survival and/or differentiation by FGFR inhibition. Compensatory reactions by upregulation of fgfr1a, fgfr1b, fgfr4, sp7 and dlx2a were found in the 0–12 hpf group, while in the 24–36 hpf group only upregulation of fgf3 was found together with downregulation of fgfr1a and fgfr2. Conclusions Pharmacological targeting of FGFR1-4 kinase signaling causes severe craniofacial malformations, whereas abrogation of FGFR2 kinase signaling alone does not induce craniofacial skeletal abnormalities. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of FGFRs in the etiology of craniofacial malformations.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Liesbeth Gebuijs
creator: Frank A. Wagener
creator: Jan Zethof
creator: Carine E. Carels
creator: Johannes W. Von den Hoff
creator: Juriaan R. Metz
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Translational Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14338
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Gebuijs et al.
abstract: Background and Objective A key pathway controlling skeletal development is fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling. Major regulatory functions of FGF signaling are chondrogenesis, endochondral and intramembranous bone development. In this study we focus on fgfr2, as mutations in this gene are found in patients with craniofacial malformations. The high degree of conservation between FGF signaling of human and zebrafish (Danio rerio) tempted us to investigate effects of the mutated fgfr2sa10729 allele in zebrafish on cartilage and bone formation. Methods We stained cartilage and bone in 5 days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae and compared mutants with wildtypes. We also determined the expression of genes related to these processes. We further investigated whether pharmacological blocking of all FGFRs with the inhibitor BGJ398, during 0–12 and 24–36 h post fertilization (hpf), affected craniofacial structure development at 5 dpf. Results We found only subtle differences in craniofacial morphology between wildtypes and mutants, likely because of receptor redundancy. After exposure to BGJ398, we found dose-dependent cartilage and bone malformations, with more severe defects in fish exposed during 0–12 hpf. These results suggest impairment of cranial neural crest cell survival and/or differentiation by FGFR inhibition. Compensatory reactions by upregulation of fgfr1a, fgfr1b, fgfr4, sp7 and dlx2a were found in the 0–12 hpf group, while in the 24–36 hpf group only upregulation of fgf3 was found together with downregulation of fgfr1a and fgfr2. Conclusions Pharmacological targeting of FGFR1-4 kinase signaling causes severe craniofacial malformations, whereas abrogation of FGFR2 kinase signaling alone does not induce craniofacial skeletal abnormalities. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of FGFRs in the etiology of craniofacial malformations.
bibliographic citation: Gebuijs et al. (2022) Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptors causes severe craniofacial malformations in zebrafish larvae. PeerJ 10:e14338 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14338
date submitted: 2022-08-22
date accepted: 2022-10-13
issued: 2022-11-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gebuijs
  given name: Liesbeth
author list: Agent
  family name: Wagener
  given name: Frank A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Zethof
  given name: Jan
author list: Agent
  family name: Carels
  given name: Carine E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Von den Hoff
  given name: Johannes W.
author list: Agent
  family name: Metz
  given name: Juriaan R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14338
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-23
copyright: ©2022 Gebuijs et al.
attribution name: Gebuijs et al.

Augmented anticancer effect and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using Taxus wallichiana leaf extract
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Taxus wallichiana is an evergreen tree species found in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The tree possesses important secondary metabolites such as Taxol that has been implicated in treating breast, ovarian and colon cancer. Therefore keeping in view the importance of this plant species, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Taxus wallichiana aqueous leaf extract and evaluated for their anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. Methods Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized for their optical, morphological and structural features using techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and were evaluated for their antibacterial activity and anti-cancer activity using U251 cell line. Results The study showed that the UV-absorbance peak of Ag2O NPs at 450 nm shifted to 410 nm, affirming the formation of leaf extract Ag NPs. Similarly structural studies revealed the crystalline nature of the cubic structure of the Ag crystal with an average crystallite size of 29 nm. FTIR analysis exhibited the existence of different functional elements including O-H and N-H and phenolic groups. Non-spherical glomerular shaped Taxus wallichiana Ag NPs were observed from SEM studies and EDX profile showed Ag as the main element along with constituent of biological origin. The synthesized Ag NPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxic activity of Ag NPs on U251 brain cancer cells showed a synergistic effect with 10 ug/mL concentration after 48 and 72 h incubation based on cell viability assay indicating promising glioblastoma drug potential.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Aliya Yousaf
creator: Muhammad Waseem
creator: Aneela Javed
creator: Sofia Baig
creator: Bushra Ismail
creator: Ayesha Baig
creator: Irum Shahzadi
creator: Shamyla Nawazish
creator: Iftikhar Zaman
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.14391
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Yousaf et al.
abstract: Background Taxus wallichiana is an evergreen tree species found in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The tree possesses important secondary metabolites such as Taxol that has been implicated in treating breast, ovarian and colon cancer. Therefore keeping in view the importance of this plant species, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Taxus wallichiana aqueous leaf extract and evaluated for their anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. Methods Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized for their optical, morphological and structural features using techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and were evaluated for their antibacterial activity and anti-cancer activity using U251 cell line. Results The study showed that the UV-absorbance peak of Ag2O NPs at 450 nm shifted to 410 nm, affirming the formation of leaf extract Ag NPs. Similarly structural studies revealed the crystalline nature of the cubic structure of the Ag crystal with an average crystallite size of 29 nm. FTIR analysis exhibited the existence of different functional elements including O-H and N-H and phenolic groups. Non-spherical glomerular shaped Taxus wallichiana Ag NPs were observed from SEM studies and EDX profile showed Ag as the main element along with constituent of biological origin. The synthesized Ag NPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxic activity of Ag NPs on U251 brain cancer cells showed a synergistic effect with 10 ug/mL concentration after 48 and 72 h incubation based on cell viability assay indicating promising glioblastoma drug potential.
bibliographic citation: Yousaf et al. (2022) Augmented anticancer effect and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using Taxus wallichiana leaf extract. PeerJ 10:e14391 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14391
date submitted: 2022-06-15
date accepted: 2022-10-23
issued: 2022-11-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yousaf
  given name: Aliya
author list: Agent
  family name: Waseem
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Javed
  given name: Aneela
author list: Agent
  family name: Baig
  given name: Sofia
author list: Agent
  family name: Ismail
  given name: Bushra
author list: Agent
  family name: Baig
  given name: Ayesha
author list: Agent
  family name: Shahzadi
  given name: Irum
author list: Agent
  family name: Nawazish
  given name: Shamyla
author list: Agent
  family name: Zaman
  given name: Iftikhar
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14391
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-11-23
copyright: © 2022 Yousaf et al.
attribution name: Yousaf et al.

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