PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: A retrospective study of risk factors for early-onset neonatal sepsis with intrapartum maternal fever
items: Urea fertilization and grass species alter microbial nitrogen cycling capacity and activity in a C4 native grassland
items: Monthly variations in growth pattern and condition factor of Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Gobiiformes: Periophthalminae) living along the Bassac River in Viet Nam
items: A new model for freedom of movement using connectomic analysis
items: Myths in psychology: psychological misconceptions among Spanish psychology students
items: Novel Driver Strength Index highlights important cancer genes in TCGA PanCanAtlas patients
items: Prevalence, type of infections and comparative analysis of detection techniques of intestinal parasites in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia
items: Maintenance of specificity in sympatric host-specific fig/wasp pollination mutualisms
items: Expression dynamics of metabolites in diploid and triploid watermelon in response to flooding
items: Incidence of hemoparasitic infections in cattle from central and northern Thailand

A retrospective study of risk factors for early-onset neonatal sepsis with intrapartum maternal fever
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Intrapartum fever is a well-known risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features for intrapartum maternal fever and investigated the risk factors for neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) with intrapartum maternal fever. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved a total of 568 neonates born to mothers with intrapartum maternal fever (temperature peak ≥38 degree Celsius) in Hangzhou Women’s Hospital from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Neonates were assigned to the EOS and non-sepsis groups based on the diagnostic criteria for early-onset neonatal sepsis,. Demographic data, clinical information and laboratory test results were evaluated to assess the risk factors for EOS. Results A total of 568 neonates were included in this study, 84 of whom were diagnosed with EOS. The EOS group was significantly different from the non-sepsis group in 11 items including the both white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level of the mother before delivery (p < 0.05). A logistic regression analysis revealed that a high maternal WBC count before delivery (OR = 3.261, p = 0.019) and a maternal histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) diagnosis (OR = 5.608, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for EOS. The optimal cut-off value for WBC (before delivery) was 16.75 × 10*9/L for EOS, according to receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under curve was 0.821). Conclusions Elevated prenatal maternal WBC counts and maternal HCA diagnosis are both independently associated with EOS. Prenatal maternal WBC counts can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict EOS early.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hongmin An
creator: Wei Zheng
creator: Qinghua Zhu
creator: Yun Chai
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13834
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 An et al.
abstract: Background Intrapartum fever is a well-known risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features for intrapartum maternal fever and investigated the risk factors for neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) with intrapartum maternal fever. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved a total of 568 neonates born to mothers with intrapartum maternal fever (temperature peak ≥38 degree Celsius) in Hangzhou Women’s Hospital from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Neonates were assigned to the EOS and non-sepsis groups based on the diagnostic criteria for early-onset neonatal sepsis,. Demographic data, clinical information and laboratory test results were evaluated to assess the risk factors for EOS. Results A total of 568 neonates were included in this study, 84 of whom were diagnosed with EOS. The EOS group was significantly different from the non-sepsis group in 11 items including the both white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level of the mother before delivery (p < 0.05). A logistic regression analysis revealed that a high maternal WBC count before delivery (OR = 3.261, p = 0.019) and a maternal histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) diagnosis (OR = 5.608, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for EOS. The optimal cut-off value for WBC (before delivery) was 16.75 × 10*9/L for EOS, according to receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under curve was 0.821). Conclusions Elevated prenatal maternal WBC counts and maternal HCA diagnosis are both independently associated with EOS. Prenatal maternal WBC counts can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict EOS early.
bibliographic citation: An et al. (2022) A retrospective study of risk factors for early-onset neonatal sepsis with intrapartum maternal fever. PeerJ 10:e13834 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13834
date submitted: 2022-03-07
date accepted: 2022-07-12
issued: 2022-08-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: An
  given name: Hongmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Qinghua
author list: Agent
  family name: Chai
  given name: Yun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13834
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-12
copyright: ©2022 An et al.
attribution name: An et al.

Urea fertilization and grass species alter microbial nitrogen cycling capacity and activity in a C4 native grassland
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Soil microbial transformation of nitrogen (N) in nutrient-limited native C4 grasslands can be affected by N fertilization rate and C4 grass species. Here, we report in situ dynamics of the population size (gene copy abundances) and activity (transcript copy abundances) of five functional genes involved in soil N cycling (nifH, bacterial amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ) in a field experiment with two C4 grass species (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)) under three N fertilization rates (0, 67, and 202 kg N ha−1). Diazotroph (nifH) abundance and activity were not affected by N fertilization rate nor grass species. However, moderate and high N fertilization promoted population size and activity of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB, quantified via amoA genes and transcripts) and nitrification potential. Moderate N fertilization increased abundances of nitrite-reducing bacterial genes (nirK and nirS) under switchgrass but decreased these genes under big bluestem. The activity of nitrous oxide reducing bacteria (nosZ transcripts) was also promoted by moderate N fertilization. In general, high N fertilization had a negative effect on N-cycling populations compared to moderate N addition. Compared to big bluestem, the soils planted with switchgrass had a greater population size of AOB and nitrite reducers. The significant interaction effects of sampling season, grass species, and N fertilization rate on N-cycling microbial community at genetic-level rather than transcriptional-level suggested the activity of N-cycling microbial communities may be driven by more complex environmental factors in native C4 grass systems, such as climatic and edaphic factors.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jialin Hu
creator: Jonathan D. Richwine
creator: Patrick D. Keyser
creator: Fei Yao
creator: Sindhu Jagadamma
creator: Jennifer M. DeBruyn
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Soil Science
subject: Biogeochemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13874
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Hu et al.
abstract: Soil microbial transformation of nitrogen (N) in nutrient-limited native C4 grasslands can be affected by N fertilization rate and C4 grass species. Here, we report in situ dynamics of the population size (gene copy abundances) and activity (transcript copy abundances) of five functional genes involved in soil N cycling (nifH, bacterial amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ) in a field experiment with two C4 grass species (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)) under three N fertilization rates (0, 67, and 202 kg N ha−1). Diazotroph (nifH) abundance and activity were not affected by N fertilization rate nor grass species. However, moderate and high N fertilization promoted population size and activity of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB, quantified via amoA genes and transcripts) and nitrification potential. Moderate N fertilization increased abundances of nitrite-reducing bacterial genes (nirK and nirS) under switchgrass but decreased these genes under big bluestem. The activity of nitrous oxide reducing bacteria (nosZ transcripts) was also promoted by moderate N fertilization. In general, high N fertilization had a negative effect on N-cycling populations compared to moderate N addition. Compared to big bluestem, the soils planted with switchgrass had a greater population size of AOB and nitrite reducers. The significant interaction effects of sampling season, grass species, and N fertilization rate on N-cycling microbial community at genetic-level rather than transcriptional-level suggested the activity of N-cycling microbial communities may be driven by more complex environmental factors in native C4 grass systems, such as climatic and edaphic factors.
bibliographic citation: Hu et al. (2022) Urea fertilization and grass species alter microbial nitrogen cycling capacity and activity in a C4 native grassland. PeerJ 10:e13874 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13874
date submitted: 2022-01-19
date accepted: 2022-07-19
issued: 2022-08-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Jialin
author list: Agent
  family name: Richwine
  given name: Jonathan D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Keyser
  given name: Patrick D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Yao
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Jagadamma
  given name: Sindhu
author list: Agent
  family name: DeBruyn
  given name: Jennifer M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13874
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-12
copyright: ©2022 Hu et al.
attribution name: Hu et al.

Monthly variations in growth pattern and condition factor of Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Gobiiformes: Periophthalminae) living along the Bassac River in Viet Nam
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Hamilton, 1822) is a unique mudskipper living in the mudbanks from estuarine to riverine regions in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), but there is no data on its growth patterns and condition factors that are helpful for fish resource assessment and adaptation understanding. This study was conducted at five sites, from the lower (Soc Trang province) to middle (Can Tho city) and upper (An Giang province) reaches of Bassac River in VMD, to provide knowledge on growth patterns and condition factors to this mudskippers. Fish samples were caught using traps and hands for 24 months, from July 2017 to June 2019, at these five sites. The total length and weight of 3,417 individuals (1,340 females and 2,077 males) varied by sex, season and site (p < 0.001 for all cases). This species exhibited a positive allometric type as the slope (b = 3.06 ± 0.01) of the length-weight relationship (LWR) was >3 (p < 0.001) for both sexes. The growth pattern changed with sex as mudskipper showed isometry in females but positive allometry in males. Maturity also affected fish growth type since it shifted from negative allometry in immature groups to positive allometry in mature groups. The growth pattern of fish changed from isometry in the dry season to positive allometry in the wet season. The mudskipper showed isometry at the lower reaches in Soc Trang but positive allometry at the middle and upper reaches in Can Tho and An Giang. The condition factor (CF) did not change according to sex, size and season, but with month and site variables. The present environmental condition in these studied sites tended to be not good enough for this fish as CF (0.95 ± 0.01) was less than 1 (p < 0.001). The findings provided basic information on the growth and adaptation of P. septemradiatus being helpful in fish adaptation understanding and resource conservation in VMD.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Quang Minh Dinh
creator: Ton Huu Duc Nguyen
creator: Ngon Trong Truong
creator: Diep Xuan Doan
creator: Tien Thi Kieu Nguyen
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
subject: Natural Resource Management
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13880
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Dinh et al.
abstract: Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Hamilton, 1822) is a unique mudskipper living in the mudbanks from estuarine to riverine regions in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), but there is no data on its growth patterns and condition factors that are helpful for fish resource assessment and adaptation understanding. This study was conducted at five sites, from the lower (Soc Trang province) to middle (Can Tho city) and upper (An Giang province) reaches of Bassac River in VMD, to provide knowledge on growth patterns and condition factors to this mudskippers. Fish samples were caught using traps and hands for 24 months, from July 2017 to June 2019, at these five sites. The total length and weight of 3,417 individuals (1,340 females and 2,077 males) varied by sex, season and site (p < 0.001 for all cases). This species exhibited a positive allometric type as the slope (b = 3.06 ± 0.01) of the length-weight relationship (LWR) was >3 (p < 0.001) for both sexes. The growth pattern changed with sex as mudskipper showed isometry in females but positive allometry in males. Maturity also affected fish growth type since it shifted from negative allometry in immature groups to positive allometry in mature groups. The growth pattern of fish changed from isometry in the dry season to positive allometry in the wet season. The mudskipper showed isometry at the lower reaches in Soc Trang but positive allometry at the middle and upper reaches in Can Tho and An Giang. The condition factor (CF) did not change according to sex, size and season, but with month and site variables. The present environmental condition in these studied sites tended to be not good enough for this fish as CF (0.95 ± 0.01) was less than 1 (p < 0.001). The findings provided basic information on the growth and adaptation of P. septemradiatus being helpful in fish adaptation understanding and resource conservation in VMD.
bibliographic citation: Dinh et al. (2022) Monthly variations in growth pattern and condition factor of Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Gobiiformes: Periophthalminae) living along the Bassac River in Viet Nam. PeerJ 10:e13880 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13880
date submitted: 2022-05-04
date accepted: 2022-07-19
issued: 2022-08-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dinh
  given name: Quang Minh
author list: Agent
  family name: Nguyen
  given name: Ton Huu Duc
author list: Agent
  family name: Truong
  given name: Ngon Trong
author list: Agent
  family name: Doan
  given name: Diep Xuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Nguyen
  given name: Tien Thi Kieu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13880
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-12
copyright: © 2022 Dinh et al.
attribution name: Dinh et al.

A new model for freedom of movement using connectomic analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The problem of whether we can execute free acts or not is central in philosophical thought, and it has been studied by numerous scholars throughout the centuries. Recently, neurosciences have entered this topic contributing new data and insights into the neuroanatomical basis of cognitive processes. With the advent of connectomics, a more refined landscape of brain connectivity can be analysed at an unprecedented level of detail. Here, we identify the connectivity network involved in the movement process from a connectomics point of view, from its motivation through its execution until the sense of agency develops. We constructed a “volitional network” using data derived from the Brainnetome Atlas database considering areas involved in volitional processes as known in the literature. We divided this process into eight processes and used Graph Theory to measure several structural properties of the network. Our results show that the volitional network is small-world and that it contains four communities. Nodes of the right hemisphere are contained in three of these communities whereas nodes of the left hemisphere only in two. Centrality measures indicate the nucleus accumbens is one of the most connected nodes in the network. Extensive connectivity is observed in all processes except in Decision (to move) and modulation of Agency, which might correlate with a mismatch mechanism for perception of Agency.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Diego Alonzo Rodríguez-Méndez
creator: Daniel San-Juan
creator: Mark Hallett
creator: Chris G. Antonopoulos
creator: Erick López-Reynoso
creator: Ricardo Lara-Ramírez
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13602
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Rodríguez-Méndez et al.
abstract: The problem of whether we can execute free acts or not is central in philosophical thought, and it has been studied by numerous scholars throughout the centuries. Recently, neurosciences have entered this topic contributing new data and insights into the neuroanatomical basis of cognitive processes. With the advent of connectomics, a more refined landscape of brain connectivity can be analysed at an unprecedented level of detail. Here, we identify the connectivity network involved in the movement process from a connectomics point of view, from its motivation through its execution until the sense of agency develops. We constructed a “volitional network” using data derived from the Brainnetome Atlas database considering areas involved in volitional processes as known in the literature. We divided this process into eight processes and used Graph Theory to measure several structural properties of the network. Our results show that the volitional network is small-world and that it contains four communities. Nodes of the right hemisphere are contained in three of these communities whereas nodes of the left hemisphere only in two. Centrality measures indicate the nucleus accumbens is one of the most connected nodes in the network. Extensive connectivity is observed in all processes except in Decision (to move) and modulation of Agency, which might correlate with a mismatch mechanism for perception of Agency.
bibliographic citation: Rodríguez-Méndez et al. (2022) A new model for freedom of movement using connectomic analysis. PeerJ 10:e13602 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13602
date submitted: 2020-12-24
date accepted: 2022-05-26
issued: 2022-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rodríguez-Méndez
  given name: Diego Alonzo
author list: Agent
  family name: San-Juan
  given name: Daniel
author list: Agent
  family name: Hallett
  given name: Mark
author list: Agent
  family name: Antonopoulos
  given name: Chris G.
author list: Agent
  family name: López-Reynoso
  given name: Erick
author list: Agent
  family name: Lara-Ramírez
  given name: Ricardo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13602
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-11
copyright: ©2022 Rodríguez-Méndez et al.
attribution name: Rodríguez-Méndez et al.

Myths in psychology: psychological misconceptions among Spanish psychology students
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Myths in Psychology are beliefs that are widely spread and inconsistent with the empirical evidence available within this field of knowledge. They are characterized by being relatively stable, resistant to change, and prevalent both among the non-academic population and among students and professionals within this discipline. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of these myths among Spanish psychology students and the influence of three variables: the type of university, face-to-face (UAM) and online (UNED), the academic year in which participants were enrolled and familiarity with scientific dissemination. Results show that participants from the face-to-face university, enrolled in higher academic years and that reports familiarity with scientific dissemination believe less in myths than those from the online university, enrolled in lower years and that report no familiarity with scientific dissemination.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cristina Rodríguez-Prada
creator: Cristina Orgaz
creator: Carmelo P. Cubillas
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13811
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Rodríguez-Prada et al.
abstract: Myths in Psychology are beliefs that are widely spread and inconsistent with the empirical evidence available within this field of knowledge. They are characterized by being relatively stable, resistant to change, and prevalent both among the non-academic population and among students and professionals within this discipline. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of these myths among Spanish psychology students and the influence of three variables: the type of university, face-to-face (UAM) and online (UNED), the academic year in which participants were enrolled and familiarity with scientific dissemination. Results show that participants from the face-to-face university, enrolled in higher academic years and that reports familiarity with scientific dissemination believe less in myths than those from the online university, enrolled in lower years and that report no familiarity with scientific dissemination.
bibliographic citation: Rodríguez-Prada et al. (2022) Myths in psychology: psychological misconceptions among Spanish psychology students. PeerJ 10:e13811 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13811
date submitted: 2021-09-30
date accepted: 2022-07-07
issued: 2022-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Rodríguez-Prada
  given name: Cristina
author list: Agent
  family name: Orgaz
  given name: Cristina
author list: Agent
  family name: Cubillas
  given name: Carmelo P.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13811
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-11
copyright: ©2022 Rodríguez-Prada et al.
attribution name: Rodríguez-Prada et al.

Novel Driver Strength Index highlights important cancer genes in TCGA PanCanAtlas patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Cancer driver genes are usually ranked by mutation frequency, which does not necessarily reflect their driver strength. We hypothesize that driver strength is higher for genes preferentially mutated in patients with few driver mutations overall, because these few mutations should be strong enough to initiate cancer. Methods We propose formulas for the Driver Strength Index (DSI) and the Normalized Driver Strength Index (NDSI), the latter independent of gene mutation frequency. We validate them using TCGA PanCanAtlas datasets, established driver prediction algorithms and custom computational pipelines integrating SNA, CNA and aneuploidy driver contributions at the patient-level resolution. Results DSI and especially NDSI provide substantially different gene rankings compared to the frequency approach. E.g., NDSI prioritized members of specific protein families, including G proteins GNAQ, GNA11 and GNAS, isocitrate dehydrogenases IDH1 and IDH2, and fibroblast growth factor receptors FGFR2 and FGFR3. KEGG analysis shows that top NDSI-ranked genes comprise EGFR/FGFR2/GNAQ/GNA11–NRAS/HRAS/KRAS–BRAF pathway, AKT1–MTOR pathway, and TCEB1–VHL–HIF1A pathway. Conclusion Our indices are able to select for driver gene attributes not selected by frequency sorting, potentially for driver strength. Genes and pathways prioritized are likely the strongest contributors to cancer initiation and progression and should become future therapeutic targets.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Aleksey V. Belikov
creator: Alexey D. Vyatkin
creator: Sergey V. Leonov
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Genomics
subject: Mathematical Biology
subject: Oncology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13860
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Belikov et al.
abstract: Background Cancer driver genes are usually ranked by mutation frequency, which does not necessarily reflect their driver strength. We hypothesize that driver strength is higher for genes preferentially mutated in patients with few driver mutations overall, because these few mutations should be strong enough to initiate cancer. Methods We propose formulas for the Driver Strength Index (DSI) and the Normalized Driver Strength Index (NDSI), the latter independent of gene mutation frequency. We validate them using TCGA PanCanAtlas datasets, established driver prediction algorithms and custom computational pipelines integrating SNA, CNA and aneuploidy driver contributions at the patient-level resolution. Results DSI and especially NDSI provide substantially different gene rankings compared to the frequency approach. E.g., NDSI prioritized members of specific protein families, including G proteins GNAQ, GNA11 and GNAS, isocitrate dehydrogenases IDH1 and IDH2, and fibroblast growth factor receptors FGFR2 and FGFR3. KEGG analysis shows that top NDSI-ranked genes comprise EGFR/FGFR2/GNAQ/GNA11–NRAS/HRAS/KRAS–BRAF pathway, AKT1–MTOR pathway, and TCEB1–VHL–HIF1A pathway. Conclusion Our indices are able to select for driver gene attributes not selected by frequency sorting, potentially for driver strength. Genes and pathways prioritized are likely the strongest contributors to cancer initiation and progression and should become future therapeutic targets.
bibliographic citation: Belikov et al. (2022) Novel Driver Strength Index highlights important cancer genes in TCGA PanCanAtlas patients. PeerJ 10:e13860 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13860
date submitted: 2022-03-23
date accepted: 2022-07-18
issued: 2022-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Belikov
  given name: Aleksey V.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vyatkin
  given name: Alexey D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Leonov
  given name: Sergey V.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13860
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-11
copyright: © 2022 Belikov et al.
attribution name: Belikov et al.

Prevalence, type of infections and comparative analysis of detection techniques of intestinal parasites in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The study was conducted to observe the prevalence and type of infection caused by intestinal parasites and to compare the techniques that are available for the detection. Method A total of 112 stool samples were obtained from study participants, and the laboratory examinations were performed at Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. One hundred and twelve participants were included in this study. Result The color of positive specimens was mainly brown (86.4%). Stool consistency in infected cases was soft in (64%) samples. There was no statistically significant difference with the physical characteristics of the stool (P > 0.05). In total, 59 of the 112 participants were infected with intestinal parasites, representing 52.7%. Different intestinal protozoa parasites were identified in which Blastocystis hominis (86.4%) was highest. None of the intestinal helminths were detected. Out of the 59 infected cases, single infections were found in (62.7%) samples. The intestinal protozoan parasites in single infections were B. hominis (78.4%), Giardia lamblia (8.1%), and (2.7%) from each Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, and Chilomastix mesnili. Microscopy, RDTs, and real-time PCR were used for detection and identification of G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and C. parvum. Conclusion The study reported a high rate of intestinal parasitic infections, mainly with B. hominis. There were no statistical differences in parasite detection between the three techniques in detection of the thirteen cases infected with the pathogenic protozoa.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Abdulrahman S. Alqarni
creator: Majed H. Wakid
creator: Hattan S. Gattan
subject: Parasitology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13889
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Alqarni et al.
abstract: Background The study was conducted to observe the prevalence and type of infection caused by intestinal parasites and to compare the techniques that are available for the detection. Method A total of 112 stool samples were obtained from study participants, and the laboratory examinations were performed at Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. One hundred and twelve participants were included in this study. Result The color of positive specimens was mainly brown (86.4%). Stool consistency in infected cases was soft in (64%) samples. There was no statistically significant difference with the physical characteristics of the stool (P > 0.05). In total, 59 of the 112 participants were infected with intestinal parasites, representing 52.7%. Different intestinal protozoa parasites were identified in which Blastocystis hominis (86.4%) was highest. None of the intestinal helminths were detected. Out of the 59 infected cases, single infections were found in (62.7%) samples. The intestinal protozoan parasites in single infections were B. hominis (78.4%), Giardia lamblia (8.1%), and (2.7%) from each Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, and Chilomastix mesnili. Microscopy, RDTs, and real-time PCR were used for detection and identification of G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and C. parvum. Conclusion The study reported a high rate of intestinal parasitic infections, mainly with B. hominis. There were no statistical differences in parasite detection between the three techniques in detection of the thirteen cases infected with the pathogenic protozoa.
bibliographic citation: Alqarni et al. (2022) Prevalence, type of infections and comparative analysis of detection techniques of intestinal parasites in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia. PeerJ 10:e13889 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13889
date submitted: 2022-03-02
date accepted: 2022-07-21
issued: 2022-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alqarni
  given name: Abdulrahman S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wakid
  given name: Majed H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gattan
  given name: Hattan S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13889
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-11
copyright: ©2022 Alqarni et al.
attribution name: Alqarni et al.

Maintenance of specificity in sympatric host-specific fig/wasp pollination mutualisms
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Fig/wasp pollination mutualisms are extreme examples of species-specific plant-insect symbioses, but incomplete specificity occurs, with potentially important evolutionary consequences. Why pollinators enter alternative hosts, and the fates of pollinators and the figs they enter, are unknown. Methods We studied the pollinating fig wasp, Ceratosolen emarginatus, which concurrently interacts with its typical host Ficus auriculata and the locally sympatric alternative host F. hainanensis, recording frequencies of the wasp in figs of the alternative hosts. We measured ovipositor lengths of pollinators and style lengths in female and male figs in the two host species. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by receptive figs of each species were identified using GC-MS. We tested the attraction of wasps to floral scents in choice experiments, and detected electrophysiologically active compounds by GC-EAD. We introduced C. emarginatus foundresses into figs of both species to reveal the consequences of entry into the alternative host. Results C. emarginatus entered a low proportion of figs of the alternative host, and produced offspring in a small proportion of them. Despite differences in the VOC profiles of the two fig species, they included shared semiochemicals. Although C. emarginatus females prefer receptive figs of F. auriculata, they are also attracted to those of F. hainanensis. C. emarginatus that entered male figs of F. hainanensis produced offspring, as their ovipositors were long enough to reach the bottom of the style; however, broods were larger and offspring smaller than in the typical host. Female figs of F. hainanensis failed to produce seeds when visited by C. emarginatus. These findings advance our current understanding of how these species-specific mutualisms usually remain stable and the conditions that allow their diversification.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hua Xie
creator: Pei Yang
creator: Yan Xia
creator: Finn Kjellberg
creator: Clive T. Darwell
creator: Zong-Bo Li
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13897
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Xie et al.
abstract: Background Fig/wasp pollination mutualisms are extreme examples of species-specific plant-insect symbioses, but incomplete specificity occurs, with potentially important evolutionary consequences. Why pollinators enter alternative hosts, and the fates of pollinators and the figs they enter, are unknown. Methods We studied the pollinating fig wasp, Ceratosolen emarginatus, which concurrently interacts with its typical host Ficus auriculata and the locally sympatric alternative host F. hainanensis, recording frequencies of the wasp in figs of the alternative hosts. We measured ovipositor lengths of pollinators and style lengths in female and male figs in the two host species. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by receptive figs of each species were identified using GC-MS. We tested the attraction of wasps to floral scents in choice experiments, and detected electrophysiologically active compounds by GC-EAD. We introduced C. emarginatus foundresses into figs of both species to reveal the consequences of entry into the alternative host. Results C. emarginatus entered a low proportion of figs of the alternative host, and produced offspring in a small proportion of them. Despite differences in the VOC profiles of the two fig species, they included shared semiochemicals. Although C. emarginatus females prefer receptive figs of F. auriculata, they are also attracted to those of F. hainanensis. C. emarginatus that entered male figs of F. hainanensis produced offspring, as their ovipositors were long enough to reach the bottom of the style; however, broods were larger and offspring smaller than in the typical host. Female figs of F. hainanensis failed to produce seeds when visited by C. emarginatus. These findings advance our current understanding of how these species-specific mutualisms usually remain stable and the conditions that allow their diversification.
bibliographic citation: Xie et al. (2022) Maintenance of specificity in sympatric host-specific fig/wasp pollination mutualisms. PeerJ 10:e13897 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13897
date submitted: 2022-02-17
date accepted: 2022-07-22
issued: 2022-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Hua
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Pei
author list: Agent
  family name: Xia
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Kjellberg
  given name: Finn
author list: Agent
  family name: Darwell
  given name: Clive T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Zong-Bo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13897
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-11
copyright: ©2022 Xie et al.
attribution name: Xie et al.

Expression dynamics of metabolites in diploid and triploid watermelon in response to flooding
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an economically important cucurbitaceous crop worldwide. The productivity of watermelon is affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses. Flooding has significant impacts on the growth of watermelons by causing oxygen deficiency and a loss of agricultural productivity. Currently, we used the triploid and diploid watermelon Zhengzhou No.3 to study the dynamics of metabolites in response to flooding stress. Quantification of metabolites was performed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS at different time intervals i.e., 0, 3, 5 and 7 days under flooding stress. We observed that the activities of oxidants were higher in the diploid watermelon, whereas the higher antioxidant activities in the triploid watermelon makes them more resistant to the flooding stress. We also observed that the root activity and the chlorophyll in the triploid watermelon plants were higher as compared to the diploid watermelon plants. Co-expression network analysis leads to the identification of twenty-four hub metabolites that might be the key metabolites linked to flooding tolerance. Resolving the underlying mechanisms for flooding tolerance and identification of key molecules serving as indicators for breeding criteria are necessary for developing flooding-resistant varieties.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nan He
creator: Muhammad Jawad Umer
creator: Pingli Yuan
creator: Weiwei Wang
creator: Hongju Zhu
creator: Shengjie Zhao
creator: Xuqiang Lu
creator: Yan Xing
creator: Chengsheng Gong
creator: Wenge Liu
creator: Xiaowu Sun
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13814
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 He et al.
abstract: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an economically important cucurbitaceous crop worldwide. The productivity of watermelon is affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses. Flooding has significant impacts on the growth of watermelons by causing oxygen deficiency and a loss of agricultural productivity. Currently, we used the triploid and diploid watermelon Zhengzhou No.3 to study the dynamics of metabolites in response to flooding stress. Quantification of metabolites was performed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS at different time intervals i.e., 0, 3, 5 and 7 days under flooding stress. We observed that the activities of oxidants were higher in the diploid watermelon, whereas the higher antioxidant activities in the triploid watermelon makes them more resistant to the flooding stress. We also observed that the root activity and the chlorophyll in the triploid watermelon plants were higher as compared to the diploid watermelon plants. Co-expression network analysis leads to the identification of twenty-four hub metabolites that might be the key metabolites linked to flooding tolerance. Resolving the underlying mechanisms for flooding tolerance and identification of key molecules serving as indicators for breeding criteria are necessary for developing flooding-resistant varieties.
bibliographic citation: He et al. (2022) Expression dynamics of metabolites in diploid and triploid watermelon in response to flooding. PeerJ 10:e13814 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13814
date submitted: 2021-10-04
date accepted: 2022-07-08
issued: 2022-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Nan
author list: Agent
  family name: Umer
  given name: Muhammad Jawad
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Pingli
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Weiwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Hongju
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Shengjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Xuqiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Xing
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Gong
  given name: Chengsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Wenge
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Xiaowu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13814
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-10
copyright: ©2022 He et al.
attribution name: He et al.

Incidence of hemoparasitic infections in cattle from central and northern Thailand
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hemoparasites, such as Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp., can negatively affect the health of farm animals resulting in significant losses in production. These losses inherently affect the economics of the livestock industry. Since increases in the severity of vector-borne diseases in the southeast Asian region have been reported, investigations of parasitic epidemiology in Thailand will be necessary to improve the existing parasite control strategies for blood parasitic infections. This study aims to investigate incidences of bovine hemoparasites throughout central and northern Thailand by focusing on areas of high-density cattle populations. Methods Blood parasitic infections among cattle were screened and identified by microscopic examination. Anemia status was then determined by evaluation of the packed cell volume (PCV) of each animal. Furthermore, blood parasites were detected and identified by genus and species-specific primers through the polymerase chain reaction method. Amplicons were subjected to DNA sequencing; thereafter, phylogenetic trees were constructed to determine the genetic diversity and relationships of the parasite in each area. Results A total of 1,066 blood samples were found to be positive for blood parasitic infections as follows: 13 (1.22%), 389 (36.50%), and 364 (34.15%) for Babesia bovis, Theileria orientalis, and Anaplasma marginale, respectively. Furthermore, multiple hemoparasitic infections in the cattle were detected. The hematocrit results revealed 161 hemoparasitic infected samples from 965 blood samples, all of which exhibiting indications of anemia with no significant differences. Sequence analysis of the identified isolates in this study revealed that B. bovis rap-1, four separate clades of T. orientalis msps, and A. marginale msp4 exhibited considerable sequence similarity to homologous sequences from isolates obtained from other countries. Sequence similarity ranged between 98.57–100%, 83.96–100%, an…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pongpisid Koonyosying
creator: Amarin Rittipornlertrak
creator: Paweena Chomjit
creator: Kanokwan Sangkakam
creator: Anucha Muenthaisong
creator: Boondarika Nambooppha
creator: Wanwisa Srisawat
creator: Nisachon Apinda
creator: Tawatchai Singhla
creator: Nattawooti Sthitmatee
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Parasitology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13835
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Koonyosying et al.
abstract: Background Hemoparasites, such as Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp., can negatively affect the health of farm animals resulting in significant losses in production. These losses inherently affect the economics of the livestock industry. Since increases in the severity of vector-borne diseases in the southeast Asian region have been reported, investigations of parasitic epidemiology in Thailand will be necessary to improve the existing parasite control strategies for blood parasitic infections. This study aims to investigate incidences of bovine hemoparasites throughout central and northern Thailand by focusing on areas of high-density cattle populations. Methods Blood parasitic infections among cattle were screened and identified by microscopic examination. Anemia status was then determined by evaluation of the packed cell volume (PCV) of each animal. Furthermore, blood parasites were detected and identified by genus and species-specific primers through the polymerase chain reaction method. Amplicons were subjected to DNA sequencing; thereafter, phylogenetic trees were constructed to determine the genetic diversity and relationships of the parasite in each area. Results A total of 1,066 blood samples were found to be positive for blood parasitic infections as follows: 13 (1.22%), 389 (36.50%), and 364 (34.15%) for Babesia bovis, Theileria orientalis, and Anaplasma marginale, respectively. Furthermore, multiple hemoparasitic infections in the cattle were detected. The hematocrit results revealed 161 hemoparasitic infected samples from 965 blood samples, all of which exhibiting indications of anemia with no significant differences. Sequence analysis of the identified isolates in this study revealed that B. bovis rap-1, four separate clades of T. orientalis msps, and A. marginale msp4 exhibited considerable sequence similarity to homologous sequences from isolates obtained from other countries. Sequence similarity ranged between 98.57–100%, 83.96–100%, an…
bibliographic citation: Koonyosying et al. (2022) Incidence of hemoparasitic infections in cattle from central and northern Thailand. PeerJ 10:e13835 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13835
date submitted: 2022-03-11
date accepted: 2022-07-12
issued: 2022-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Koonyosying
  given name: Pongpisid
author list: Agent
  family name: Rittipornlertrak
  given name: Amarin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chomjit
  given name: Paweena
author list: Agent
  family name: Sangkakam
  given name: Kanokwan
author list: Agent
  family name: Muenthaisong
  given name: Anucha
author list: Agent
  family name: Nambooppha
  given name: Boondarika
author list: Agent
  family name: Srisawat
  given name: Wanwisa
author list: Agent
  family name: Apinda
  given name: Nisachon
author list: Agent
  family name: Singhla
  given name: Tawatchai
author list: Agent
  family name: Sthitmatee
  given name: Nattawooti
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13835
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-10
copyright: © 2022 Koonyosying et al.
attribution name: Koonyosying et al.

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