PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: https://peerj.com/articles/13762
items: Digital technology for orthognathic surgery training promotion: a randomized comparative study
items: Hydrological and lock operation conditions associated with paddlefish and bigheaded carp dam passage on a large and small scale in the Upper Mississippi River (Pools 14–18)
items: Advanced oxidation protein products induce annulus fibrosus cell senescence through a NOX4-dependent, MAPK-mediated pathway and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration
items: Comparative transcriptome analysis of Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. provides a rich molecular resource for research on coloration mechanism
items: Modeling the potential distribution of different types of Dendrocalamus sinicus, the strongest woody bamboo in the world, with MaxEnt model
items: Variation in the reproductive quality of honey bee males affects their age of flight attempt
items: Biological age for chronic kidney disease patients using index model
items: The survival, development, and reproduction of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the main Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) genotypes planted in Brazil
items: Fighting ability, personality and melanin signalling in free-living Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus)

https://peerj.com/articles/13762
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Clinical characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant compared with the delta variant: a retrospective case-control study of 318 outpatients from a single sight institute in Japan
description: Background Clinical characteristics, including laboratory parameters, of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant have been limited. Methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted in a single hospital. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who visited the Asahikawa City Hospital outpatient department as new patients and underwent blood tests were included in this study. We analyzed the data from January 2022 to April 2022 during the Omicron phase and from April 2021 to October 2021 during the Delta phase. Patients who were treated at other hospitals after visiting our hospital were excluded. All blood tests were performed before treatment for COVID-19 was initiated. Demographic information, laboratory data, and clinical courses were extracted from electronic medical records. We matched the two groups by age and comorbidities and compared their characteristics. We also analyzed factors associated with pneumonia in the Omicron phase. Results A total of 151 Omicron patients and 167 delta patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age, rate of comorbidities, and vaccination were significantly higher in the Omicron group. The number of patients with pneumonia or those requiring oxygen, admissions, or both was significantly lower in the Omicron group. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels were significantly lower in the Omicron group. Compared with the mild symptom and pneumonia groups in the Omicron group, older age, higher body mass index (BMI), higher non-vaccination, higher LDH, and higher CRP levels were associated with the pneumonia group. Conclusion The Omicron variant is associated with a reduction in hospitalization and the risk of pneumonia compared to the delta variant in a real-life clinical setting. In the Omicron variant, the risk of pneumonia is related to high-risk factors, laborat…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Keiko Suzuki
creator: Takaya Ichikawa
creator: Satoshi Suzuki
creator: Yoko Tanino
creator: Yasutaka Kakinoki
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Hematology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Internal Medicine
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13762
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Suzuki et al.
abstract: Background Clinical characteristics, including laboratory parameters, of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant have been limited. Methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted in a single hospital. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who visited the Asahikawa City Hospital outpatient department as new patients and underwent blood tests were included in this study. We analyzed the data from January 2022 to April 2022 during the Omicron phase and from April 2021 to October 2021 during the Delta phase. Patients who were treated at other hospitals after visiting our hospital were excluded. All blood tests were performed before treatment for COVID-19 was initiated. Demographic information, laboratory data, and clinical courses were extracted from electronic medical records. We matched the two groups by age and comorbidities and compared their characteristics. We also analyzed factors associated with pneumonia in the Omicron phase. Results A total of 151 Omicron patients and 167 delta patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age, rate of comorbidities, and vaccination were significantly higher in the Omicron group. The number of patients with pneumonia or those requiring oxygen, admissions, or both was significantly lower in the Omicron group. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels were significantly lower in the Omicron group. Compared with the mild symptom and pneumonia groups in the Omicron group, older age, higher body mass index (BMI), higher non-vaccination, higher LDH, and higher CRP levels were associated with the pneumonia group. Conclusion The Omicron variant is associated with a reduction in hospitalization and the risk of pneumonia compared to the delta variant in a real-life clinical setting. In the Omicron variant, the risk of pneumonia is related to high-risk factors, laborat…
bibliographic citation: Suzuki et al. (2022) Clinical characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant compared with the delta variant: a retrospective case-control study of 318 outpatients from a single sight institute in Japan. PeerJ 10:e13762 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13762
date submitted: 2022-01-20
date accepted: 2022-06-29
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Suzuki
  given name: Keiko
author list: Agent
  family name: Ichikawa
  given name: Takaya
author list: Agent
  family name: Suzuki
  given name: Satoshi
author list: Agent
  family name: Tanino
  given name: Yoko
author list: Agent
  family name: Kakinoki
  given name: Yasutaka
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13762
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Suzuki et al.
attribution name: Suzuki et al.

Digital technology for orthognathic surgery training promotion: a randomized comparative study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background This study aims to investigate whether a systematic digital training system can improve the learning efficiency of residents in the first-year orthognathic surgery training course and evaluate its effectiveness in teaching orthognathic surgery. Methods A digital training system was applied, and a comparative research approach was adopted. 24 first-year orthognathic surgery residents participated in the experiment as part of their professional skill training. The Experimental group was required to use a digital training system, and the Control group was trained in lectures without digital technologies. Three indicators, including theoretical knowledge and clinical operation, were assessed in tests, and evaluations from instructors were analyzed to evaluate learning efficiency. Results The results showed that the scores in theoretical tests, practical operations, and teacher evaluations, the Experimental groups were all higher than the Control group (P = 0.002 for anatomy, P = 0.000 for operation theory) after using digital technology, except for the understanding of complications (P = 0.771). In addition, the questionnaire survey results showed that the study interest (P = 0.001), self-confidence (P = 0.001), satisfaction (P = 0.002), and academic performance (P = 0.001) of the residents of the Experimental group were higher than those of the Control group. Conclusions The outcomes indicated that the digital training system could benefit orthognathic residents’ learning efficiency, and learning interest and teaching satisfaction will also improve.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhan Su
creator: Yao Liu
creator: Wenli Zhao
creator: Yuanyan Bai
creator: Nan Jiang
creator: Songsong Zhu
subject: Dentistry
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13810
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Su et al.
abstract: Background This study aims to investigate whether a systematic digital training system can improve the learning efficiency of residents in the first-year orthognathic surgery training course and evaluate its effectiveness in teaching orthognathic surgery. Methods A digital training system was applied, and a comparative research approach was adopted. 24 first-year orthognathic surgery residents participated in the experiment as part of their professional skill training. The Experimental group was required to use a digital training system, and the Control group was trained in lectures without digital technologies. Three indicators, including theoretical knowledge and clinical operation, were assessed in tests, and evaluations from instructors were analyzed to evaluate learning efficiency. Results The results showed that the scores in theoretical tests, practical operations, and teacher evaluations, the Experimental groups were all higher than the Control group (P = 0.002 for anatomy, P = 0.000 for operation theory) after using digital technology, except for the understanding of complications (P = 0.771). In addition, the questionnaire survey results showed that the study interest (P = 0.001), self-confidence (P = 0.001), satisfaction (P = 0.002), and academic performance (P = 0.001) of the residents of the Experimental group were higher than those of the Control group. Conclusions The outcomes indicated that the digital training system could benefit orthognathic residents’ learning efficiency, and learning interest and teaching satisfaction will also improve.
bibliographic citation: Su et al. (2022) Digital technology for orthognathic surgery training promotion: a randomized comparative study. PeerJ 10:e13810 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13810
date submitted: 2022-01-31
date accepted: 2022-07-07
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Su
  given name: Zhan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yao
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Wenli
author list: Agent
  family name: Bai
  given name: Yuanyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Nan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Songsong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13810
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Su et al.
attribution name: Su et al.

Hydrological and lock operation conditions associated with paddlefish and bigheaded carp dam passage on a large and small scale in the Upper Mississippi River (Pools 14–18)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Movement and dispersal of migratory fish species is an important life-history characteristics that can be impeded by navigation dams. Although habitat fragmentation may be detrimental to native fish species, it might act as an effective and economical barrier for controlling the spread of invasive species in riverine systems. Various technologies have been proposed as potential fish deterrents at locks and dams to reduce bigheaded carp (i.e., silver carp and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.)) range expansion in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Lock and Dam (LD) 15 is infrequently at open-river condition (spillway gates completely open; hydraulic head across the dam <0.4 m) and has been identified as a potential location for fish deterrent implementation. We used acoustic telemetry to evaluate paddlefish passage at UMR dams and to evaluate seasonal and diel movement of paddlefish and bigheaded carp relative to environmental conditions and lock operations at LD 15. We observed successful paddlefish passage at all dams, with the highest number of passages occurring at LDs 17 and 16. Paddlefish residency events in the downstream lock approach of LD 15 occurred more frequently and for longer durations than residency events of bigheaded carp. We documented upstream passages completed by two individual paddlefish through the lock chamber at LD 15, and a single bighead carp completed upstream passage through the lock chamber during two separate years of this study. We identified four bigheaded carp and 19 paddlefish that made upstream passages through the spillway gates at LD 15 during this study. The majority of the upstream passages through the spillway gates for both species occurred during open river conditions. When hydraulic head was approximately 1-m or greater, we observed these taxa opt for upstream passage through the lock chamber more often than the dam gates. In years with infrequent open-river condition, a deterrent placed in the downstream lock approach…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Dominique D. Turney
creator: Andrea K. Fritts
creator: Brent C. Knights
creator: Jon M. Vallazza
creator: Douglas S. Appel
creator: James T. Lamer
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13822
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Turney et al.
abstract: Movement and dispersal of migratory fish species is an important life-history characteristics that can be impeded by navigation dams. Although habitat fragmentation may be detrimental to native fish species, it might act as an effective and economical barrier for controlling the spread of invasive species in riverine systems. Various technologies have been proposed as potential fish deterrents at locks and dams to reduce bigheaded carp (i.e., silver carp and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.)) range expansion in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Lock and Dam (LD) 15 is infrequently at open-river condition (spillway gates completely open; hydraulic head across the dam <0.4 m) and has been identified as a potential location for fish deterrent implementation. We used acoustic telemetry to evaluate paddlefish passage at UMR dams and to evaluate seasonal and diel movement of paddlefish and bigheaded carp relative to environmental conditions and lock operations at LD 15. We observed successful paddlefish passage at all dams, with the highest number of passages occurring at LDs 17 and 16. Paddlefish residency events in the downstream lock approach of LD 15 occurred more frequently and for longer durations than residency events of bigheaded carp. We documented upstream passages completed by two individual paddlefish through the lock chamber at LD 15, and a single bighead carp completed upstream passage through the lock chamber during two separate years of this study. We identified four bigheaded carp and 19 paddlefish that made upstream passages through the spillway gates at LD 15 during this study. The majority of the upstream passages through the spillway gates for both species occurred during open river conditions. When hydraulic head was approximately 1-m or greater, we observed these taxa opt for upstream passage through the lock chamber more often than the dam gates. In years with infrequent open-river condition, a deterrent placed in the downstream lock approach…
bibliographic citation: Turney et al. (2022) Hydrological and lock operation conditions associated with paddlefish and bigheaded carp dam passage on a large and small scale in the Upper Mississippi River (Pools 14–18). PeerJ 10:e13822 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13822
date submitted: 2022-03-11
date accepted: 2022-07-10
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Turney
  given name: Dominique D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fritts
  given name: Andrea K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Knights
  given name: Brent C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vallazza
  given name: Jon M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Appel
  given name: Douglas S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Lamer
  given name: James T.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13822
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Turney et al.
attribution name: Turney et al.

Advanced oxidation protein products induce annulus fibrosus cell senescence through a NOX4-dependent, MAPK-mediated pathway and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is closely associated with senescence. Annulus fibrosus (AF) cell senescence is a crucial driver of AF tissue tearing and fissures, thereby exacerbating IVDD. Increased advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs) were found in human degenerative discs and aged rat discs and may be involved in IVDD. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of AOPPs-induced senescence in AF cells. Methods The pathological effects of AOPPs in vivo were investigated using a rat lumbar disc persistent degeneration model and a rat caudal disc puncture model. Rat primary AF cells were selected as in vitro models, and AOPPs were used as direct stimulation to observe their pathological effects. Setanaxb (NOX1/4 inhibitor), apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) and adenovirus (ADV) packed NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) specific shRNAs were used for pathway inhibition, respectively. Finally, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) packed with NOX4-specific blocking sequences were used to inhibit the in vivo pathway. Results AOPPs accumulated in the rat lumbar and caudal degenerative discs. Intra-discal loading of AOPPs up-regulated the expression of NOX4, p53, p21, p16, IL-1β, and TNF-α, ultimately accelerating IVDD. Exposure of AOPPs to AF primary cells up-regulated NOX4 expression, induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), triggered senescence and increased IL-1β and TNF-α. Apocynin, setanaxib, and ADV pre-cultured AF cells abrogated AOPPs-induced senescence. AAV-mediated inhibition of NOX4 expression in vivo reduced the expression of p53, p21, p16, IL-1β and TNF-α in vivo and delayed IVDD. Conclusions AOPPs induced AF cell senescence through a NOX4-dependent and MAPK-mediated pathway.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiangheng Dai
creator: Yu Chen
creator: Zihan Yu
creator: Congrui Liao
creator: Zhongyuan Liu
creator: Jianting Chen
creator: Qian Wu
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13826
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Dai et al.
abstract: Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is closely associated with senescence. Annulus fibrosus (AF) cell senescence is a crucial driver of AF tissue tearing and fissures, thereby exacerbating IVDD. Increased advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs) were found in human degenerative discs and aged rat discs and may be involved in IVDD. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of AOPPs-induced senescence in AF cells. Methods The pathological effects of AOPPs in vivo were investigated using a rat lumbar disc persistent degeneration model and a rat caudal disc puncture model. Rat primary AF cells were selected as in vitro models, and AOPPs were used as direct stimulation to observe their pathological effects. Setanaxb (NOX1/4 inhibitor), apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) and adenovirus (ADV) packed NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) specific shRNAs were used for pathway inhibition, respectively. Finally, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) packed with NOX4-specific blocking sequences were used to inhibit the in vivo pathway. Results AOPPs accumulated in the rat lumbar and caudal degenerative discs. Intra-discal loading of AOPPs up-regulated the expression of NOX4, p53, p21, p16, IL-1β, and TNF-α, ultimately accelerating IVDD. Exposure of AOPPs to AF primary cells up-regulated NOX4 expression, induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), triggered senescence and increased IL-1β and TNF-α. Apocynin, setanaxib, and ADV pre-cultured AF cells abrogated AOPPs-induced senescence. AAV-mediated inhibition of NOX4 expression in vivo reduced the expression of p53, p21, p16, IL-1β and TNF-α in vivo and delayed IVDD. Conclusions AOPPs induced AF cell senescence through a NOX4-dependent and MAPK-mediated pathway.
bibliographic citation: Dai et al. (2022) Advanced oxidation protein products induce annulus fibrosus cell senescence through a NOX4-dependent, MAPK-mediated pathway and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration. PeerJ 10:e13826 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13826
date submitted: 2022-04-14
date accepted: 2022-07-11
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Xiangheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Zihan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liao
  given name: Congrui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Zhongyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Jianting
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Qian
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13826
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Dai et al.
attribution name: Dai et al.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. provides a rich molecular resource for research on coloration mechanism
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Lupinus polyphyllus is rich in color, making it a well-known horticultural ornamental plant. However, little is known about the genes related to anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis in L. polyphyllus. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was performed on eight different colors of L. polyphyllus. A total of 1.13 billion clean reads were obtained and assembled into 89,124 unigenes, which were then aligned with six databases, resulting in the identification of 54,823 annotated unigenes. Among these unigenes, 76 and 101 were involved in the biosynthetic pathway of carotenoids and anthocyanins, respectively. In addition, 505 transcription factors were revealed, which belonged to the MYB, R2R3-MYB, NAC, bHLH, and WD40 families. A total of 6,700 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by comparative transcriptome analysis. Among them, 17 candidate unigenes (four carotenoid genes, seven anthocyanin genes, and six TFs) were specifically up-regulated for one or more colors of L. polyphyllus. Eight representative candidate unigenes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The findings enrich the transcriptome database of lupine, and provide a rich molecular resource for research on the coloration mechanism of L. polyphyllus.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhu Gao
creator: Jipeng Mao
creator: Lu Chen
creator: Xiaoling Wang
creator: Lu Zhang
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13836
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Gao et al.
abstract: Lupinus polyphyllus is rich in color, making it a well-known horticultural ornamental plant. However, little is known about the genes related to anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis in L. polyphyllus. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was performed on eight different colors of L. polyphyllus. A total of 1.13 billion clean reads were obtained and assembled into 89,124 unigenes, which were then aligned with six databases, resulting in the identification of 54,823 annotated unigenes. Among these unigenes, 76 and 101 were involved in the biosynthetic pathway of carotenoids and anthocyanins, respectively. In addition, 505 transcription factors were revealed, which belonged to the MYB, R2R3-MYB, NAC, bHLH, and WD40 families. A total of 6,700 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by comparative transcriptome analysis. Among them, 17 candidate unigenes (four carotenoid genes, seven anthocyanin genes, and six TFs) were specifically up-regulated for one or more colors of L. polyphyllus. Eight representative candidate unigenes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The findings enrich the transcriptome database of lupine, and provide a rich molecular resource for research on the coloration mechanism of L. polyphyllus.
bibliographic citation: Gao et al. (2022) Comparative transcriptome analysis of Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. provides a rich molecular resource for research on coloration mechanism. PeerJ 10:e13836 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13836
date submitted: 2022-04-28
date accepted: 2022-07-13
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Zhu
author list: Agent
  family name: Mao
  given name: Jipeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Lu
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiaoling
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13836
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Gao et al.
attribution name: Gao et al.

Modeling the potential distribution of different types of Dendrocalamus sinicus, the strongest woody bamboo in the world, with MaxEnt model
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Climate change will significantly affect the distribution area of species. Through establishing distribution model, we can simulate the current and future potential distribution range and provide reference for the introduction and cultivation planning of rare or economic plants. Dendrocalamus sinicus, endemic to Yunnan Province of China, is the strongest woody bamboo in the world. In the present study, the MaxEnt model was performed to simulate the distribution of different types of D. sinicus in China and neighboring countries or regions. The results suggested that the suitable distribution range of “straight type”, the main type for cultivation and utilization, was 8°–30°N and 73°–122°E under the current climate conditions, while the potential distribution range of “bending type” was 6°–31°N and 79°–109°E. The two most key climate variables associated with distribution of “straight type” were “Temperature Annual Range” with 36.6% contribution rate and “Temperature Seasonality” (32.4%), while “Isothermality” (47.8%) and “Precipitation of Driest Month” (24.8%) for “bending type”. Under different climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and periods (2050, 2090), the potential distribution area of the “straight type” were apparently different, indicating that the distribution area of D. sinicus will be affected significantly by climate changes in the future. Our findings would be not only beneficial to understanding limiting factors for natural distribution of D. sinicus, but also helpful for further germplasm conservation, introduction and cultivation planning of this rare woody bamboo.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Peitong Dou
creator: Yuran Dong
creator: Lingna Chen
creator: Han-Qi Yang
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13847
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Dou et al.
abstract: Climate change will significantly affect the distribution area of species. Through establishing distribution model, we can simulate the current and future potential distribution range and provide reference for the introduction and cultivation planning of rare or economic plants. Dendrocalamus sinicus, endemic to Yunnan Province of China, is the strongest woody bamboo in the world. In the present study, the MaxEnt model was performed to simulate the distribution of different types of D. sinicus in China and neighboring countries or regions. The results suggested that the suitable distribution range of “straight type”, the main type for cultivation and utilization, was 8°–30°N and 73°–122°E under the current climate conditions, while the potential distribution range of “bending type” was 6°–31°N and 79°–109°E. The two most key climate variables associated with distribution of “straight type” were “Temperature Annual Range” with 36.6% contribution rate and “Temperature Seasonality” (32.4%), while “Isothermality” (47.8%) and “Precipitation of Driest Month” (24.8%) for “bending type”. Under different climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and periods (2050, 2090), the potential distribution area of the “straight type” were apparently different, indicating that the distribution area of D. sinicus will be affected significantly by climate changes in the future. Our findings would be not only beneficial to understanding limiting factors for natural distribution of D. sinicus, but also helpful for further germplasm conservation, introduction and cultivation planning of this rare woody bamboo.
bibliographic citation: Dou et al. (2022) Modeling the potential distribution of different types of Dendrocalamus sinicus, the strongest woody bamboo in the world, with MaxEnt model. PeerJ 10:e13847 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13847
date submitted: 2022-01-13
date accepted: 2022-07-14
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dou
  given name: Peitong
author list: Agent
  family name: Dong
  given name: Yuran
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Lingna
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Han-Qi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13847
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Dou et al.
attribution name: Dou et al.

Variation in the reproductive quality of honey bee males affects their age of flight attempt
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Honey bee males (drones) exhibit life histories that enable a high potential for pre- or post-copulatory sperm competition. With a numerical sex ratio of ∼11,000 drones for every queen, they patrol flyways and congregate aerially to mate on the wing. However, colonies and in fact drones themselves may benefit from a relative lack of competition, as queens are highly polyandrous, and colonies have an adaptive advantage when headed by queens that are multiply mated. Previous research has shown that larger drones are more likely to be found at drone congregation areas, more likely to mate successfully, and obtain a higher paternity share. However, the reproductive quality and size of drones varies widely within and among colonies, suggesting adaptive maintenance of drone quality variation at different levels of selection. Methods We collected drones from six colony sources over the course of five days. We paint marked and individually tagged drones after taking body measurements at emergence and then placed the drones in one of two foster colonies. Using an entrance cage, we collected drones daily as they attempted flight. We collected 2,420 drones live or dead, analyzed 1,891 for attempted flight, collected emergence data on 207 drones, and dissected 565 upon capture to assess reproductive maturity. We measured drone body mass, head width, and thorax width at emergence, and upon dissection we further measured thorax mass, seminal vesicle length, mucus gland length, sperm count, and sperm viability from the seminal vesicles. Results We found that drones that were more massive at emergence were larger and more fecund upon capture, suggesting that they are of higher reproductive quality and therefore do not exhibit a trade-off between size and fecundity. However, smaller drones tended to attempt initial flight at a younger age, which suggests a size trade-off not with fecundity but rather developmental maturation. We conclude that smaller drones may take more …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bradley N. Metz
creator: David R. Tarpy
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13859
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Metz and Tarpy
abstract: Background Honey bee males (drones) exhibit life histories that enable a high potential for pre- or post-copulatory sperm competition. With a numerical sex ratio of ∼11,000 drones for every queen, they patrol flyways and congregate aerially to mate on the wing. However, colonies and in fact drones themselves may benefit from a relative lack of competition, as queens are highly polyandrous, and colonies have an adaptive advantage when headed by queens that are multiply mated. Previous research has shown that larger drones are more likely to be found at drone congregation areas, more likely to mate successfully, and obtain a higher paternity share. However, the reproductive quality and size of drones varies widely within and among colonies, suggesting adaptive maintenance of drone quality variation at different levels of selection. Methods We collected drones from six colony sources over the course of five days. We paint marked and individually tagged drones after taking body measurements at emergence and then placed the drones in one of two foster colonies. Using an entrance cage, we collected drones daily as they attempted flight. We collected 2,420 drones live or dead, analyzed 1,891 for attempted flight, collected emergence data on 207 drones, and dissected 565 upon capture to assess reproductive maturity. We measured drone body mass, head width, and thorax width at emergence, and upon dissection we further measured thorax mass, seminal vesicle length, mucus gland length, sperm count, and sperm viability from the seminal vesicles. Results We found that drones that were more massive at emergence were larger and more fecund upon capture, suggesting that they are of higher reproductive quality and therefore do not exhibit a trade-off between size and fecundity. However, smaller drones tended to attempt initial flight at a younger age, which suggests a size trade-off not with fecundity but rather developmental maturation. We conclude that smaller drones may take more …
bibliographic citation: Metz et al. (2022) Variation in the reproductive quality of honey bee males affects their age of flight attempt. PeerJ 10:e13859 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13859
date submitted: 2022-01-13
date accepted: 2022-07-18
issued: 2022-08-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Metz
  given name: Bradley N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Tarpy
  given name: David R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13859
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-02
copyright: ©2022 Metz and Tarpy
attribution name: Metz and Tarpy

Biological age for chronic kidney disease patients using index model
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The estimation of biological age (BA) is an important asymptomatic measure that can be used to understand the physical changes and the aging process of a living being. Factors that contribute towards profiling the human biological age can be diverse. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a BA model for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The procedure commences with the selection of significant biomarkers using a correlation test. Appropriate weighting is then assigned to each selected biomarker using the indexing method to produce a BA index. The BA index is matched to the age variation within the sample to acquire additional terms for the chronological age leading ultimately to the estimated BA. From a sample of 190 patients (133 trained data and 57 testing data) obtained from the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia, the intensity of the BA is found to be between three to nine years from the chronological age. Visual observations further validate the high similarities between the training and testing data sets.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shaiful Anuar Abu Bakar
creator: Sharifah Nazatul Shima Syed Mohamed Shahruddin
creator: Noriszura Ismail
creator: Wan Ahmad Hafiz Wan Md Adnan
subject: Global Health
subject: Nephrology
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13694
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Abu Bakar et al.
abstract: The estimation of biological age (BA) is an important asymptomatic measure that can be used to understand the physical changes and the aging process of a living being. Factors that contribute towards profiling the human biological age can be diverse. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a BA model for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The procedure commences with the selection of significant biomarkers using a correlation test. Appropriate weighting is then assigned to each selected biomarker using the indexing method to produce a BA index. The BA index is matched to the age variation within the sample to acquire additional terms for the chronological age leading ultimately to the estimated BA. From a sample of 190 patients (133 trained data and 57 testing data) obtained from the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia, the intensity of the BA is found to be between three to nine years from the chronological age. Visual observations further validate the high similarities between the training and testing data sets.
bibliographic citation: Abu Bakar et al. (2022) Biological age for chronic kidney disease patients using index model. PeerJ 10:e13694 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13694
date submitted: 2022-01-17
date accepted: 2022-06-16
issued: 2022-08-01
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Abu Bakar
  given name: Shaiful Anuar
author list: Agent
  family name: Syed Mohamed Shahruddin
  given name: Sharifah Nazatul Shima
author list: Agent
  family name: Ismail
  given name: Noriszura
author list: Agent
  family name: Wan Md Adnan
  given name: Wan Ahmad Hafiz
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13694
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-01
copyright: © 2022 Abu Bakar et al.
attribution name: Abu Bakar et al.

The survival, development, and reproduction of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the main Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) genotypes planted in Brazil
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Gonipterus platensis Marelli (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the main defoliating beetle of Eucalyptus L’Hér. (Myrtaceae) plants worldwide. The suitability of Eucalyptus to this pest varies among host plant genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development, reproduction, and survival of G. platensis on Eucalyptus species and hybrids to assess their suitability to this insect pest in Brazil. Methods The survival, development, and reproduction parameters were evaluated with G. platensis feeding leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill., Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake and on the hybrids of E. grandis ×E. urophylla ‘H13’ and ‘VR3748’ in the laboratory. Results The duration of the larval stage of G. platensis was shorter on E. urophylla. The pupal stage and the period from larva to adult were equally shorter on E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis. The viability of instars of this insect was low on both E. grandis and E. camaldulensis. The complete lifespan, oviposition period and reproduction parameters of G. platensis were greater on E. urophylla, lower on E. camaldulensis and E. grandis, and intermediate on both hybrids tested. Synthesis Eucalyptus urophylla is the most suitable host for G. platensis survival, development, and reproduction, while E. grandis and E. camaldulensis are the least suitable.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nádia Cristina de Oliveira
creator: Murilo Fonseca Ribeiro
creator: Angelo Ottati
creator: Wagner de Souza Tavares
creator: José Eduardo Serrão
creator: José Cola Zanuncio
creator: Ronald Zanetti
creator: Carlos Frederico Wilcken
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13698
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Oliveira et al.
abstract: Background Gonipterus platensis Marelli (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the main defoliating beetle of Eucalyptus L’Hér. (Myrtaceae) plants worldwide. The suitability of Eucalyptus to this pest varies among host plant genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development, reproduction, and survival of G. platensis on Eucalyptus species and hybrids to assess their suitability to this insect pest in Brazil. Methods The survival, development, and reproduction parameters were evaluated with G. platensis feeding leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill., Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake and on the hybrids of E. grandis ×E. urophylla ‘H13’ and ‘VR3748’ in the laboratory. Results The duration of the larval stage of G. platensis was shorter on E. urophylla. The pupal stage and the period from larva to adult were equally shorter on E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis. The viability of instars of this insect was low on both E. grandis and E. camaldulensis. The complete lifespan, oviposition period and reproduction parameters of G. platensis were greater on E. urophylla, lower on E. camaldulensis and E. grandis, and intermediate on both hybrids tested. Synthesis Eucalyptus urophylla is the most suitable host for G. platensis survival, development, and reproduction, while E. grandis and E. camaldulensis are the least suitable.
bibliographic citation: Oliveira et al. (2022) The survival, development, and reproduction of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the main Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) genotypes planted in Brazil. PeerJ 10:e13698 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13698
date submitted: 2022-03-10
date accepted: 2022-06-17
issued: 2022-08-01
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Oliveira
  given name: Nádia Cristina de
author list: Agent
  family name: Ribeiro
  given name: Murilo Fonseca
author list: Agent
  family name: Ottati
  given name: Angelo
author list: Agent
  family name: Tavares
  given name: Wagner de Souza
author list: Agent
  family name: Serrão
  given name: José Eduardo
author list: Agent
  family name: Zanuncio
  given name: José Cola
author list: Agent
  family name: Zanetti
  given name: Ronald
author list: Agent
  family name: Wilcken
  given name: Carlos Frederico
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13698
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-08-01
copyright: ©2022 Oliveira et al.
attribution name: Oliveira et al.

Fighting ability, personality and melanin signalling in free-living Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Individuals’ access to resources is often decided during dyadic contests the outcome of which is determined by the fighting (or competitive) ability of the participants. Individuals’ fighting ability (termed also as resource-holding power or potential, RHP) is usually associated with individual features (e.g., sex, age, body size) and is also frequently signalled through various ornaments like the black throat patch (bib) in many birds. Individual personality is a behavioural attribute often linked to fighting ability as well. Based on earlier studies, however, the relationship between personality and fighting ability is far from being straightforward. While accounting for sex and body size, we studied whether exploratory behaviour, an aspect of personality, predicts fighting ability when competing for food during winter in free-living Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). We also investigated whether the bib can serve as a potential indicator of individual competitiveness in this species. Methods We captured adult tree sparrows, marked them with a unique combination of colour rings, and collected data about the individuals’ sex, body size, bib size and exploratory behaviour. Birds were then released and the agonistic behaviour of the marked individuals was recorded while foraging in groups on bird feeding platforms. Results The probability of winning a fight, a proxy for fighting ability of individuals, was not related to exploratory behaviour, in either of the sexes. However, bib size was positively related to probability of winning in females, but not in males. Body size was not associated with probability of winning neither in males, nor in females. Conclusions Our results suggest that, at least in tree sparrows, the outcome of dyadic encounters over food during the non-breeding period are not determined by the exploratory personality of individuals. However, our findings provide further support for a status signalling role of the black bib in tre…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Attila Fülöp
creator: Zoltán Németh
creator: Bianka Kocsis
creator: Bettina Deák-Molnár
creator: Tímea Bozsoky
creator: Gabriella Kőmüves
creator: Zoltán Barta
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13660
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Fülöp et al.
abstract: Background Individuals’ access to resources is often decided during dyadic contests the outcome of which is determined by the fighting (or competitive) ability of the participants. Individuals’ fighting ability (termed also as resource-holding power or potential, RHP) is usually associated with individual features (e.g., sex, age, body size) and is also frequently signalled through various ornaments like the black throat patch (bib) in many birds. Individual personality is a behavioural attribute often linked to fighting ability as well. Based on earlier studies, however, the relationship between personality and fighting ability is far from being straightforward. While accounting for sex and body size, we studied whether exploratory behaviour, an aspect of personality, predicts fighting ability when competing for food during winter in free-living Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). We also investigated whether the bib can serve as a potential indicator of individual competitiveness in this species. Methods We captured adult tree sparrows, marked them with a unique combination of colour rings, and collected data about the individuals’ sex, body size, bib size and exploratory behaviour. Birds were then released and the agonistic behaviour of the marked individuals was recorded while foraging in groups on bird feeding platforms. Results The probability of winning a fight, a proxy for fighting ability of individuals, was not related to exploratory behaviour, in either of the sexes. However, bib size was positively related to probability of winning in females, but not in males. Body size was not associated with probability of winning neither in males, nor in females. Conclusions Our results suggest that, at least in tree sparrows, the outcome of dyadic encounters over food during the non-breeding period are not determined by the exploratory personality of individuals. However, our findings provide further support for a status signalling role of the black bib in tre…
bibliographic citation: Fülöp et al. (2022) Fighting ability, personality and melanin signalling in free-living Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). PeerJ 10:e13660 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13660
date submitted: 2021-11-11
date accepted: 2022-06-09
issued: 2022-07-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Fülöp
  given name: Attila
author list: Agent
  family name: Németh
  given name: Zoltán
author list: Agent
  family name: Kocsis
  given name: Bianka
author list: Agent
  family name: Deák-Molnár
  given name: Bettina
author list: Agent
  family name: Bozsoky
  given name: Tímea
author list: Agent
  family name: Kőmüves
  given name: Gabriella
author list: Agent
  family name: Barta
  given name: Zoltán
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13660
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-07-29
copyright: ©2022 Fülöp et al.
attribution name: Fülöp et al.

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