PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Gender dimorphic M1 excitability during emotional processing: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
items: Evolution of Helicobacter spp: variability of virulence factors and their relationship to pathogenicity
items: https://peerj.com/articles/13767
items: Genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) across the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea by microsatellite DNA variation: implications for the division of management units
items: TRIM38 protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via the TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway
items: Multiple propane gas burn rates procedure to determine accuracy and linearity of indirect calorimetry systems: an experimental assessment of a method
items: Morphology and cytochemical patterns of peripheral blood cells of tiger frog (Rana rugulosa)
items: COVID-19 onset reduced the sex ratio at birth in South Africa
items: Effects of exogenous calcium on the drought response of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze)
items: The redescription of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis (Diapsida, Eosauropterygia)—a historical skeleton from the Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic, Anisian) near Bayreuth (southern Germany)

Gender dimorphic M1 excitability during emotional processing: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background It is widely held that emotions prime the body for action. However, the influence of gender on primary motor cortex (M1) excitability during emotional processing is not well explored. Methods Using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we stimulated the right or left M1 at 150 ms and 300 ms after emotional stimulation onset (presentation of negative, neutral, and positive pictures to male and female subjects). Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) ratio induced by single-pulse TMS was used to assess changes in corticospinal excitability. Results In response to right M1 stimulation, males demonstrated higher MEP ratios following presentation of negative pictures at 150 ms while MEP ratios in response to presentation of positive pictures were greater at 300 ms. Furthermore, male subjects showed larger MEP ratios in right M1 versus left M1 at 300 ms after initiation of positive pictures, indicating lateralization of motor excitability in male subjects. Conclusions The current study thus provides neurophysiological evidence to support gender differences and functional lateralization of motor excitability in response to emotional stimuli.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fanghui Qiu
creator: Yu Zhou
creator: Lanlan Zhang
creator: Jian Zhang
creator: Hui Liu
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13987
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Qiu et al.
abstract: Background It is widely held that emotions prime the body for action. However, the influence of gender on primary motor cortex (M1) excitability during emotional processing is not well explored. Methods Using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we stimulated the right or left M1 at 150 ms and 300 ms after emotional stimulation onset (presentation of negative, neutral, and positive pictures to male and female subjects). Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) ratio induced by single-pulse TMS was used to assess changes in corticospinal excitability. Results In response to right M1 stimulation, males demonstrated higher MEP ratios following presentation of negative pictures at 150 ms while MEP ratios in response to presentation of positive pictures were greater at 300 ms. Furthermore, male subjects showed larger MEP ratios in right M1 versus left M1 at 300 ms after initiation of positive pictures, indicating lateralization of motor excitability in male subjects. Conclusions The current study thus provides neurophysiological evidence to support gender differences and functional lateralization of motor excitability in response to emotional stimuli.
bibliographic citation: Qiu et al. (2022) Gender dimorphic M1 excitability during emotional processing: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. PeerJ 10:e13987 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13987
date submitted: 2022-04-29
date accepted: 2022-08-11
issued: 2022-08-30
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiu
  given name: Fanghui
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lanlan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Hui
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13987
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-30
copyright: ©2022 Qiu et al.
attribution name: Qiu et al.

Evolution of Helicobacter spp: variability of virulence factors and their relationship to pathogenicity
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Virulence factors (VF) are bacteria-associated molecules that assist to colonize the host at the cellular level. Bacterial virulence is highly dynamic and specific pathogens have a broad array of VFs. The genus Helicobacter is gram-negative, microaerobic, flagellated, and mucus-inhabiting bacteria associated with gastrointestinal inflammation. To investigate about their pathogenicity, several Helicobacter species have been characterized and sequenced. Since the variability and possible origin of VF in the genus are not clear, our goal was to perform a comparative analysis of Helicobacter species in order to investigate VF variability and their evolutionary origin. Methods The complete genomes of 22 Helicobacter species available in NCBI were analyzed, using computational tools. We identifyed gain and loss events in VF genes, which were categorized in seven functional groups to determine their most parsimonious evolutionary origin. After verifying the annotation of all VF genes, a phylogeny from conserved VF organized by Helicobacter species according to gastric Helicobacter species (GHS) or enterohepatic (EHS) classification was obtained. Results Gain and loss analysis of VF orthologous in Helicobacter ssp revealed the most possible evolutionary origin for each gene set. Microevolutionary events in urease and flagella genes were detected during the evolution of the genus. Our results pointed that acquisition of ureases and adherence genes and deletion of cytotoxins in some lineages, as well as variation in VF genes copy number, would be related to host adaptation during evolution of the Helicobacter genus. Our findings provided new insights about the genetic differences between GHS and EHS and their relationship with pathogenicity.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Carlos F. Prada
creator: Maria A. Casadiego
creator: Caio CM Freire
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Genetics
subject: Genomics
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13120
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Prada et al.
abstract: Background Virulence factors (VF) are bacteria-associated molecules that assist to colonize the host at the cellular level. Bacterial virulence is highly dynamic and specific pathogens have a broad array of VFs. The genus Helicobacter is gram-negative, microaerobic, flagellated, and mucus-inhabiting bacteria associated with gastrointestinal inflammation. To investigate about their pathogenicity, several Helicobacter species have been characterized and sequenced. Since the variability and possible origin of VF in the genus are not clear, our goal was to perform a comparative analysis of Helicobacter species in order to investigate VF variability and their evolutionary origin. Methods The complete genomes of 22 Helicobacter species available in NCBI were analyzed, using computational tools. We identifyed gain and loss events in VF genes, which were categorized in seven functional groups to determine their most parsimonious evolutionary origin. After verifying the annotation of all VF genes, a phylogeny from conserved VF organized by Helicobacter species according to gastric Helicobacter species (GHS) or enterohepatic (EHS) classification was obtained. Results Gain and loss analysis of VF orthologous in Helicobacter ssp revealed the most possible evolutionary origin for each gene set. Microevolutionary events in urease and flagella genes were detected during the evolution of the genus. Our results pointed that acquisition of ureases and adherence genes and deletion of cytotoxins in some lineages, as well as variation in VF genes copy number, would be related to host adaptation during evolution of the Helicobacter genus. Our findings provided new insights about the genetic differences between GHS and EHS and their relationship with pathogenicity.
bibliographic citation: Prada et al. (2022) Evolution of Helicobacter spp: variability of virulence factors and their relationship to pathogenicity. PeerJ 10:e13120 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13120
date submitted: 2021-09-16
date accepted: 2022-02-24
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Prada
  given name: Carlos F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Casadiego
  given name: Maria A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Freire
  given name: Caio CM
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13120
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: © 2022 Prada et al.
attribution name: Prada et al.

https://peerj.com/articles/13767
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Accelerating the discovery of rare tree species in Amazonian forests: integrating long monitoring tree plot data with metabolomics and phylogenetics for the description of a new species in the hyperdiverse genus Inga Mill
description: In species-rich regions and highly speciose genera, the need for species identification and taxonomic recognition has led to the development of emergent technologies. Here, we combine long-term plot data with untargated metabolomics, and morphological and phylogenetic data to describe a new rare species in the hyperdiverse genus of trees Inga Mill. Our combined data show that Inga coleyana is a new lineage splitting from their closest relatives I. coruscans and I. cylindrica. Moreover, analyses of the chemical defensive profile demonstrate that I. coleyana has a very distinctive chemistry from their closest relatives, with I. coleyana having a chemistry based on saponins and I. cylindrica and I. coruscans producing a series of dihydroflavonols in addition to saponins. Finally, data from our network of plots suggest that I. coleyana is a rare and probably endemic taxon in the hyper-diverse genus Inga. Thus, the synergy produced by different approaches, such as long-term plot data and metabolomics, could accelerate taxonomic recognition in challenging tropical biomes.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Juan Ernesto Guevara Andino
creator: Consuelo Hernández
creator: Renato Valencia
creator: Dale Forrister
creator: María-José Endara
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Plant Science
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13767
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Guevara Andino et al.
abstract: In species-rich regions and highly speciose genera, the need for species identification and taxonomic recognition has led to the development of emergent technologies. Here, we combine long-term plot data with untargated metabolomics, and morphological and phylogenetic data to describe a new rare species in the hyperdiverse genus of trees Inga Mill. Our combined data show that Inga coleyana is a new lineage splitting from their closest relatives I. coruscans and I. cylindrica. Moreover, analyses of the chemical defensive profile demonstrate that I. coleyana has a very distinctive chemistry from their closest relatives, with I. coleyana having a chemistry based on saponins and I. cylindrica and I. coruscans producing a series of dihydroflavonols in addition to saponins. Finally, data from our network of plots suggest that I. coleyana is a rare and probably endemic taxon in the hyper-diverse genus Inga. Thus, the synergy produced by different approaches, such as long-term plot data and metabolomics, could accelerate taxonomic recognition in challenging tropical biomes.
bibliographic citation: Guevara Andino et al. (2022) Accelerating the discovery of rare tree species in Amazonian forests: integrating long monitoring tree plot data with metabolomics and phylogenetics for the description of a new species in the hyperdiverse genus Inga Mill. PeerJ 10:e13767 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13767
date submitted: 2022-03-24
date accepted: 2022-06-30
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Guevara Andino
  given name: Juan Ernesto
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernández
  given name: Consuelo
author list: Agent
  family name: Valencia
  given name: Renato
author list: Agent
  family name: Forrister
  given name: Dale
author list: Agent
  family name: Endara
  given name: María-José
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13767
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Guevara Andino et al.
attribution name: Guevara Andino et al.

Genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) across the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea by microsatellite DNA variation: implications for the division of management units
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis, is a commercial fish of the order Perciformes that mainly inhabit estuaries and coastal waters.In recent years, the resources and catch of L. polyactis have undergone huge fluctuations. To detect genetic variations caused by the fluctuation of resources, genetic diversity of L. polyactis in the coastal waters of China were analyzed in this study using microsatellite DNA marker. The results revealed high genetic diversity of this species. The STRUCTURE, DAPC and FST results all indicated that there was no genetic structure consistent with the distribution pattern. Overall, our main findings are in agreement with previous studies, indicating that L. polyactis showed high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation. Our results for high genetic connectivity among L. polyactis localities provide insights into the development of management strategies, that is, to manage this species as a single management unit.
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format: text/html
creator: Jian Zheng
creator: Yunrong Yan
creator: Zhonglu Li
creator: Na Song
subject: Biogeography
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13789
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zheng et al.
abstract: The small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis, is a commercial fish of the order Perciformes that mainly inhabit estuaries and coastal waters.In recent years, the resources and catch of L. polyactis have undergone huge fluctuations. To detect genetic variations caused by the fluctuation of resources, genetic diversity of L. polyactis in the coastal waters of China were analyzed in this study using microsatellite DNA marker. The results revealed high genetic diversity of this species. The STRUCTURE, DAPC and FST results all indicated that there was no genetic structure consistent with the distribution pattern. Overall, our main findings are in agreement with previous studies, indicating that L. polyactis showed high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation. Our results for high genetic connectivity among L. polyactis localities provide insights into the development of management strategies, that is, to manage this species as a single management unit.
bibliographic citation: Zheng et al. (2022) Genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) across the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea by microsatellite DNA variation: implications for the division of management units. PeerJ 10:e13789 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13789
date submitted: 2021-10-13
date accepted: 2022-07-05
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Yan
  given name: Yunrong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Zhonglu
author list: Agent
  family name: Song
  given name: Na
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13789
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Zheng et al.
attribution name: Zheng et al.

TRIM38 protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via the TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Tripartite motif (TRIM) 38 is a ubiquitin E3 protein ligase that is involved in various intracellular physiological processes. However, the role of TRIM38 in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains to be elucidated. We aimed to establish an in vitro cellular hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) model to explore the role and potential mechanisms of TRIM38 in H9c2, a rat cardiomyoblast cell line. Recombinant adenoviruses for silencing or overexpressing TRIM38 were constructed and transfected into H9c2 cells. Western blotanalysisshowed that TRIM38 expression was significantly decreased after H/R injury. Functionally, TRIM38 expression relieved inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and inhibited H/R-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Mechanistically, TRIM38 overexpression inhibited H/R-induced transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activity in H9c2 cells. The opposite results were observed after TRIM38 knockdown. Furthermore, H/R-induced injury aggravated by TRIM38 deficiency in H9c2 cells was reversed upon treatment with 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, a TAK1 inhibitor. Therefore, TRIM38 reduction attenuated the anti-apoptotic capacity and anti-inflammatory potential of H/R-stimulated H9c2 cells by activating the TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway. Specifically, TRIM38 alleviated H/R-induced H9c2 cell injury by promoting TNF receptor-associated factor 6 degradation, which led to the inactivation of the TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway. Thus, our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying H/R-induced myocardial injuries.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhengri Lu
creator: Mengen Deng
creator: Genshan Ma
creator: Lijuan Chen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13815
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Lu et al.
abstract: Tripartite motif (TRIM) 38 is a ubiquitin E3 protein ligase that is involved in various intracellular physiological processes. However, the role of TRIM38 in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains to be elucidated. We aimed to establish an in vitro cellular hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) model to explore the role and potential mechanisms of TRIM38 in H9c2, a rat cardiomyoblast cell line. Recombinant adenoviruses for silencing or overexpressing TRIM38 were constructed and transfected into H9c2 cells. Western blotanalysisshowed that TRIM38 expression was significantly decreased after H/R injury. Functionally, TRIM38 expression relieved inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and inhibited H/R-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Mechanistically, TRIM38 overexpression inhibited H/R-induced transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activity in H9c2 cells. The opposite results were observed after TRIM38 knockdown. Furthermore, H/R-induced injury aggravated by TRIM38 deficiency in H9c2 cells was reversed upon treatment with 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, a TAK1 inhibitor. Therefore, TRIM38 reduction attenuated the anti-apoptotic capacity and anti-inflammatory potential of H/R-stimulated H9c2 cells by activating the TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway. Specifically, TRIM38 alleviated H/R-induced H9c2 cell injury by promoting TNF receptor-associated factor 6 degradation, which led to the inactivation of the TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway. Thus, our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying H/R-induced myocardial injuries.
bibliographic citation: Lu et al. (2022) TRIM38 protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via the TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signalling pathway. PeerJ 10:e13815 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13815
date submitted: 2022-03-14
date accepted: 2022-07-08
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Zhengri
author list: Agent
  family name: Deng
  given name: Mengen
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Genshan
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Lijuan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13815
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Lu et al.
attribution name: Lu et al.

Multiple propane gas burn rates procedure to determine accuracy and linearity of indirect calorimetry systems: an experimental assessment of a method
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective Indirect calorimetry (IC) systems measure the fractions of expired carbon dioxide (FeCO2), and oxygen (FeO2) recorded at the mouth to estimate whole-body energy production. The fundamental principle of IC relates to the catabolism of high-energy substrates such as carbohydrates and lipids to meet the body’s energy needs through the oxidative process, which are reflected in the measured oxygen uptake rates (V̇O2) and carbon dioxide production rates (V̇CO2). Accordingly, it is important to know the accuracy and validity of V̇O2and V̇CO2 measurements when estimating energy production and substrate partitioning for research and clinical purposes. Although several techniques are readily available to assess the accuracy of IC systems at a single point for V̇CO2 and V̇O2, the validity of such procedures is limited when used in testing protocols that incorporate a wide range of energy production (e.g., basal metabolic rate and maximal exercise testing). Accordingly, we built an apparatus that allowed us to manipulate propane burn rates in such a way as to assess the linearity of IC systems. This technical report aimed to assess the accuracy and linearity of three IC systems using our in-house built validation procedure. Approach A series of trials at different propane burn rates (PBR) (i.e., 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mL min−1) were run on three IC systems: Sable, Moxus, and Oxycon Pro. The experimental values for V̇O2 and V̇CO2 measured on the three IC systems were compared to theoretical stoichiometry values. Results A linear relationship was observed between increasing PBR and measured values for V̇O2and V̇CO2 (99.6%, 99.2%, 94.8% for the Sable, Moxus, and Jaeger IC systems, respectively). In terms of system error, the Jaeger system had significantly (p < 0.001) greater V̇O2(mean difference (M) = −0.057, standard error (SE) = 0.004), and V̇CO2(M = −0.048, SE = 0.002) error compared to either the Sable (V̇O2, M = 0.044, SE = 0.004; V̇CO2, M = 0.024, SE = 0.002)…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mohammad Ismail
creator: Sanaa A. Alsubheen
creator: Angela Loucks-Atkinson
creator: Matthew Atkinson
creator: Thamir Alkanani
creator: Liam P. Kelly
creator: Fabien Basset
subject: Bioengineering
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Nutrition
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13882
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Ismail et al.
abstract: Objective Indirect calorimetry (IC) systems measure the fractions of expired carbon dioxide (FeCO2), and oxygen (FeO2) recorded at the mouth to estimate whole-body energy production. The fundamental principle of IC relates to the catabolism of high-energy substrates such as carbohydrates and lipids to meet the body’s energy needs through the oxidative process, which are reflected in the measured oxygen uptake rates (V̇O2) and carbon dioxide production rates (V̇CO2). Accordingly, it is important to know the accuracy and validity of V̇O2and V̇CO2 measurements when estimating energy production and substrate partitioning for research and clinical purposes. Although several techniques are readily available to assess the accuracy of IC systems at a single point for V̇CO2 and V̇O2, the validity of such procedures is limited when used in testing protocols that incorporate a wide range of energy production (e.g., basal metabolic rate and maximal exercise testing). Accordingly, we built an apparatus that allowed us to manipulate propane burn rates in such a way as to assess the linearity of IC systems. This technical report aimed to assess the accuracy and linearity of three IC systems using our in-house built validation procedure. Approach A series of trials at different propane burn rates (PBR) (i.e., 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mL min−1) were run on three IC systems: Sable, Moxus, and Oxycon Pro. The experimental values for V̇O2 and V̇CO2 measured on the three IC systems were compared to theoretical stoichiometry values. Results A linear relationship was observed between increasing PBR and measured values for V̇O2and V̇CO2 (99.6%, 99.2%, 94.8% for the Sable, Moxus, and Jaeger IC systems, respectively). In terms of system error, the Jaeger system had significantly (p < 0.001) greater V̇O2(mean difference (M) = −0.057, standard error (SE) = 0.004), and V̇CO2(M = −0.048, SE = 0.002) error compared to either the Sable (V̇O2, M = 0.044, SE = 0.004; V̇CO2, M = 0.024, SE = 0.002)…
bibliographic citation: Ismail et al. (2022) Multiple propane gas burn rates procedure to determine accuracy and linearity of indirect calorimetry systems: an experimental assessment of a method. PeerJ 10:e13882 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13882
date submitted: 2019-02-26
date accepted: 2022-07-20
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ismail
  given name: Mohammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Alsubheen
  given name: Sanaa A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Loucks-Atkinson
  given name: Angela
author list: Agent
  family name: Atkinson
  given name: Matthew
author list: Agent
  family name: Alkanani
  given name: Thamir
author list: Agent
  family name: Kelly
  given name: Liam P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Basset
  given name: Fabien
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13882
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Ismail et al.
attribution name: Ismail et al.

Morphology and cytochemical patterns of peripheral blood cells of tiger frog (Rana rugulosa)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Tiger frog (Rana rugulosa) is a national second-class protected amphibian species in China with an important ecological and economic value. In recent years, due to excessive human hunting, pollution and habitat loss, the wild population of tiger frog has declined sharply. To protect wildlife resources, the artificial breeding of tiger frogs has rapidly developed in China. Diseases are increasing and spreading among tiger frogs due to the increasing scale of artificial farming. The blood examination is the most straightforward and less invasive technique to evaluate the animal health condition. Thus, it is essential to obtain the normal hematological indicators of tiger frogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphometry, microstructure and cytochemical patterns of peripheral blood cells in tiger frogs. Methods The number of blood cells in tiger frogs was counted on a blood count board, and the cell sizes were measured by a micrometer under light microscope. The morphology and classification of blood cells were studied by Wright-Giemsa staining, and the cytochemical pateerns was investigated by various cytochemical staining including periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Sudan black B (SBB), peroxidase (POX), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), chloroacetic acid AS-D naphthol esterase (CAE) and α-naphthol acetate esterase (ANAE) staining. Results Besides erythrocytes and thrombocytes, five types of leukocytes were identified in tiger frogs: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. The mean erythrocyte, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts were 1.33 ± 0.15 million/mm3, 3.73 ± 0.04 × 104/mm3 and 1.7 ± 0.01 × 104/mm3, respectively. Small lymphocytes were the most abundant leukocytes, followed by large lymphocytes, Neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes, basophils were the fewest. Eosinophils were strongly positive for PAS, positive for SBB, POX, ACP, CAE, ANAE, while weakly positive for AKP staining; basophils were s…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xianxian Chen
creator: Yu Wu
creator: Lixin Huang
creator: Xue Cao
creator: Misbah Hanif
creator: Fei Peng
creator: Xiaobing Wu
creator: Shengzhou Zhang
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
subject: Hematology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13915
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Chen et al.
abstract: Background Tiger frog (Rana rugulosa) is a national second-class protected amphibian species in China with an important ecological and economic value. In recent years, due to excessive human hunting, pollution and habitat loss, the wild population of tiger frog has declined sharply. To protect wildlife resources, the artificial breeding of tiger frogs has rapidly developed in China. Diseases are increasing and spreading among tiger frogs due to the increasing scale of artificial farming. The blood examination is the most straightforward and less invasive technique to evaluate the animal health condition. Thus, it is essential to obtain the normal hematological indicators of tiger frogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphometry, microstructure and cytochemical patterns of peripheral blood cells in tiger frogs. Methods The number of blood cells in tiger frogs was counted on a blood count board, and the cell sizes were measured by a micrometer under light microscope. The morphology and classification of blood cells were studied by Wright-Giemsa staining, and the cytochemical pateerns was investigated by various cytochemical staining including periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Sudan black B (SBB), peroxidase (POX), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), chloroacetic acid AS-D naphthol esterase (CAE) and α-naphthol acetate esterase (ANAE) staining. Results Besides erythrocytes and thrombocytes, five types of leukocytes were identified in tiger frogs: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. The mean erythrocyte, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts were 1.33 ± 0.15 million/mm3, 3.73 ± 0.04 × 104/mm3 and 1.7 ± 0.01 × 104/mm3, respectively. Small lymphocytes were the most abundant leukocytes, followed by large lymphocytes, Neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes, basophils were the fewest. Eosinophils were strongly positive for PAS, positive for SBB, POX, ACP, CAE, ANAE, while weakly positive for AKP staining; basophils were s…
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2022) Morphology and cytochemical patterns of peripheral blood cells of tiger frog (Rana rugulosa). PeerJ 10:e13915 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13915
date submitted: 2022-01-24
date accepted: 2022-07-28
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xianxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Lixin
author list: Agent
  family name: Cao
  given name: Xue
author list: Agent
  family name: Hanif
  given name: Misbah
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Xiaobing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Shengzhou
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13915
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

COVID-19 onset reduced the sex ratio at birth in South Africa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The sex ratio at birth (defined as male/(male+female) live births) is anticipated to approximate 0.510 with a slight male excess. This ratio has been observed to decrease transiently around 3–5 months following sudden unexpected stressful events. We hypothesised that stress engendered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused such a decrease in South Africa 3–5 months after March 2020 since in this month, South Africa reported its first COVID-19 case, death and nationwide lockdown restrictions were instituted. Methods We used publicly available, recorded monthly live birth data from Statistics South Africa. The most recent month for which data was available publicly was December 2020. We analysed live births for a 100-month period from September 2012 to December 2020, taking seasonality into account. Chi-squared tests were applied. Results Over this 100-month period, there were 8,151,364 live births. The lowest recorded monthly sex ratio at birth of 0.499 was in June 2020, 3 months after March 2020. This June was the only month during this period where the sex ratio inverted i.e., fewer male live births occurred. The predicted June 2020 ratio was 0.504. The observed June 2020 decrease was statistically significant p = 0.045. Conclusions The sex ratio at birth decreased and inverted in South Africa in June 2020, for the first time, during the most recent 100-month period. This decline occurred 3 months after the March 2020 onset of COVID-19 in South Africa. As June 2020 is within the critical window when population stressors are known to impact the sex ratio at birth, these findings suggest that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic engendered population stress with notable effects on pregnancy and public health in South Africa. These findings have implications for future pandemic preparedness and social policy.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gwinyai Masukume
creator: Margaret Ryan
creator: Rumbidzai Masukume
creator: Dorota Zammit
creator: Victor Grech
creator: Witness Mapanga
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Public Health
subject: Women’s Health
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13985
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Masukume et al.
abstract: Background The sex ratio at birth (defined as male/(male+female) live births) is anticipated to approximate 0.510 with a slight male excess. This ratio has been observed to decrease transiently around 3–5 months following sudden unexpected stressful events. We hypothesised that stress engendered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused such a decrease in South Africa 3–5 months after March 2020 since in this month, South Africa reported its first COVID-19 case, death and nationwide lockdown restrictions were instituted. Methods We used publicly available, recorded monthly live birth data from Statistics South Africa. The most recent month for which data was available publicly was December 2020. We analysed live births for a 100-month period from September 2012 to December 2020, taking seasonality into account. Chi-squared tests were applied. Results Over this 100-month period, there were 8,151,364 live births. The lowest recorded monthly sex ratio at birth of 0.499 was in June 2020, 3 months after March 2020. This June was the only month during this period where the sex ratio inverted i.e., fewer male live births occurred. The predicted June 2020 ratio was 0.504. The observed June 2020 decrease was statistically significant p = 0.045. Conclusions The sex ratio at birth decreased and inverted in South Africa in June 2020, for the first time, during the most recent 100-month period. This decline occurred 3 months after the March 2020 onset of COVID-19 in South Africa. As June 2020 is within the critical window when population stressors are known to impact the sex ratio at birth, these findings suggest that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic engendered population stress with notable effects on pregnancy and public health in South Africa. These findings have implications for future pandemic preparedness and social policy.
bibliographic citation: Masukume et al. (2022) COVID-19 onset reduced the sex ratio at birth in South Africa. PeerJ 10:e13985 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13985
date submitted: 2022-05-17
date accepted: 2022-08-10
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Masukume
  given name: Gwinyai
author list: Agent
  family name: Ryan
  given name: Margaret
author list: Agent
  family name: Masukume
  given name: Rumbidzai
author list: Agent
  family name: Zammit
  given name: Dorota
author list: Agent
  family name: Grech
  given name: Victor
author list: Agent
  family name: Mapanga
  given name: Witness
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13985
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: ©2022 Masukume et al.
attribution name: Masukume et al.

Effects of exogenous calcium on the drought response of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Drought is one of the major factors reducing the yield of many crops worldwide, including the tea crop (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). Calcium participates in most of cellular signaling processes, and its important role in stress detection and triggering a response has been shown in many crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of calcium on the tea plant response to drought. Methods Experiments were conducted using 3-year-old potted tea plants of the best local cultivar Kolkhida. Application of ammonium nitrate (control treatment) or calcium nitrate (Ca treatment) to the soil was performed before drought induction. Next, a 7-day drought was induced in both groups of plants. The following physiological parameters were measured: relative electrical conductivity, pH of cell sap, and concentrations of cations, sugars, and amino acids. In addition, relative expression levels of 40 stress-related and crop quality–related genes were analyzed. Results Under drought stress, leaf electrolyte leakage differed significantly, indicating greater damage to cell membranes in control plants than in Ca-treated plants. Calcium application resulted in greater pH of cell sap; higher accumulation of tyrosine, methionine, and valine; and a greater Mg2+ content as compared to control plants. Drought stress downregulated most of the quality-related genes in both groups of tea plants. By contrast, significant upregulation of some genes was observed, namely CRK45, NAC26, TPS11, LOX1, LOX6, Hydrolase22, DREB26, SWEET2, GS, ADC, DHN2, GOLS1, GOLS3, and RHL41. Among them, three genes (LOX1, RHL41, and GOLS1) showed 2–3 times greater expression in Ca-treated plants than in control plants. Based on these results, it can be speculated that calcium affects galactinol biosynthesis and participates in the regulation of stomatal aperture not only through activation of abscisic-acid signaling but also through jasmonic-acid pathway activation. These findings clarify calc…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lyudmila S. Malyukova
creator: Natalia G. Koninskaya
creator: Yuriy L. Orlov
creator: Lidiia S. Samarina
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Genetics
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13997
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Malyukova et al.
abstract: Background Drought is one of the major factors reducing the yield of many crops worldwide, including the tea crop (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). Calcium participates in most of cellular signaling processes, and its important role in stress detection and triggering a response has been shown in many crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of calcium on the tea plant response to drought. Methods Experiments were conducted using 3-year-old potted tea plants of the best local cultivar Kolkhida. Application of ammonium nitrate (control treatment) or calcium nitrate (Ca treatment) to the soil was performed before drought induction. Next, a 7-day drought was induced in both groups of plants. The following physiological parameters were measured: relative electrical conductivity, pH of cell sap, and concentrations of cations, sugars, and amino acids. In addition, relative expression levels of 40 stress-related and crop quality–related genes were analyzed. Results Under drought stress, leaf electrolyte leakage differed significantly, indicating greater damage to cell membranes in control plants than in Ca-treated plants. Calcium application resulted in greater pH of cell sap; higher accumulation of tyrosine, methionine, and valine; and a greater Mg2+ content as compared to control plants. Drought stress downregulated most of the quality-related genes in both groups of tea plants. By contrast, significant upregulation of some genes was observed, namely CRK45, NAC26, TPS11, LOX1, LOX6, Hydrolase22, DREB26, SWEET2, GS, ADC, DHN2, GOLS1, GOLS3, and RHL41. Among them, three genes (LOX1, RHL41, and GOLS1) showed 2–3 times greater expression in Ca-treated plants than in control plants. Based on these results, it can be speculated that calcium affects galactinol biosynthesis and participates in the regulation of stomatal aperture not only through activation of abscisic-acid signaling but also through jasmonic-acid pathway activation. These findings clarify calc…
bibliographic citation: Malyukova et al. (2022) Effects of exogenous calcium on the drought response of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). PeerJ 10:e13997 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13997
date submitted: 2022-03-16
date accepted: 2022-08-12
issued: 2022-08-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Malyukova
  given name: Lyudmila S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Koninskaya
  given name: Natalia G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Orlov
  given name: Yuriy L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Samarina
  given name: Lidiia S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13997
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-29
copyright: © 2022 Malyukova et al.
attribution name: Malyukova et al.

The redescription of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis (Diapsida, Eosauropterygia)—a historical skeleton from the Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic, Anisian) near Bayreuth (southern Germany)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: In 2009, the historical mount of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis from the Upper Muschelkalk of Oschenberg (Laineck Mountain Range, near Bayreuth, southern Germany) was disassembled and the original postcranial skeleton was reworked and remounted in find position. Its morphology is described and figured for the first time in detail. Further on, a thorough overview of the sedimentary environment and the historical activities around the Upper Muschelkalk quarries in the vicinity of Bayreuth is given. The holotype of N. mirabilis is one out of only two fairly complete nothosaur skeletons known from the Bayreuth Upper Muschelkalk and greatly emends our knowledge of the morphology of the species and the genus. It will further allow an assignment of isolated elements to this taxon. The specimen consists of an articulated and complete neck and anterior trunk vertebral column as well as several articulated parts of the anterior tail region. The sacral region is partially preserved but disarticulated. Besides vertebrae, ribs and gastral fragments, both humeri, the right femur, few zeugopodial and autopodial elements, and the right pelvic girdle are preserved. The very high neural spines of the holotype are stabilized by a supersized zygosphene-zygantrum articulation reaching far dorsally. Together with the large intercentral spaces this character suggests lateral undulation of the trunk region during fast swimming whereas propelling with the broad and wing-shaped humerus and the flat ulna was used during slower swimming. The total body length for this not fully grown individual is reconstructed as between 290 to 320 cm. Preservation, degree of completeness, and articulation of the individual is unique. The skull and shoulder girdle are both lost, whereas articulated strings of the vertebral column have turned and appendicular bones have shifted posteriorly or anteriorly, respectively, indicating water movements and possibly also scavenging.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nicole Klein
creator: Stefan Eggmaier
creator: Hans Hagdorn
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13818
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Klein et al.
abstract: In 2009, the historical mount of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis from the Upper Muschelkalk of Oschenberg (Laineck Mountain Range, near Bayreuth, southern Germany) was disassembled and the original postcranial skeleton was reworked and remounted in find position. Its morphology is described and figured for the first time in detail. Further on, a thorough overview of the sedimentary environment and the historical activities around the Upper Muschelkalk quarries in the vicinity of Bayreuth is given. The holotype of N. mirabilis is one out of only two fairly complete nothosaur skeletons known from the Bayreuth Upper Muschelkalk and greatly emends our knowledge of the morphology of the species and the genus. It will further allow an assignment of isolated elements to this taxon. The specimen consists of an articulated and complete neck and anterior trunk vertebral column as well as several articulated parts of the anterior tail region. The sacral region is partially preserved but disarticulated. Besides vertebrae, ribs and gastral fragments, both humeri, the right femur, few zeugopodial and autopodial elements, and the right pelvic girdle are preserved. The very high neural spines of the holotype are stabilized by a supersized zygosphene-zygantrum articulation reaching far dorsally. Together with the large intercentral spaces this character suggests lateral undulation of the trunk region during fast swimming whereas propelling with the broad and wing-shaped humerus and the flat ulna was used during slower swimming. The total body length for this not fully grown individual is reconstructed as between 290 to 320 cm. Preservation, degree of completeness, and articulation of the individual is unique. The skull and shoulder girdle are both lost, whereas articulated strings of the vertebral column have turned and appendicular bones have shifted posteriorly or anteriorly, respectively, indicating water movements and possibly also scavenging.
bibliographic citation: Klein et al. (2022) The redescription of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis (Diapsida, Eosauropterygia)—a historical skeleton from the Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic, Anisian) near Bayreuth (southern Germany). PeerJ 10:e13818 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13818
date submitted: 2022-05-05
date accepted: 2022-07-08
issued: 2022-08-26
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Klein
  given name: Nicole
author list: Agent
  family name: Eggmaier
  given name: Stefan
author list: Agent
  family name: Hagdorn
  given name: Hans
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13818
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-26
copyright: © 2022 Klein et al.
attribution name: Klein et al.

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