PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Application of hydrophilic polymers for the preparation of tadalafil solid dispersions: micromeritics properties, release and erectile dysfunction studies in male rats
items: Healthcare applications of single camera markerless motion capture: a scoping review
items: Prevalence of food addiction using the Yale-C scale in Mexican children with overweight and obesity
items: Ageing- and AAA-associated differentially expressed proteins identified by proteomic analysis in mice
items: Exploring the perception and readiness of Pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation; a cross sectional analysis
items: Overexpression of AmCBF1 enhances drought and cold stress tolerance, and improves photosynthesis in transgenic cotton
items: Influence of hot air drying on capsaicinoids, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activities of ‘Super Hot’ chilies
items: Heat stress response in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) revealed by transcriptome and physiological analysis
items: Integrative analysis of transcriptome complexity in pig granulosa cells by long-read isoform sequencing
items: Nutrient composition of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. bran: Fractionation and bioactivity of its soluble active polysaccharides

Application of hydrophilic polymers for the preparation of tadalafil solid dispersions: micromeritics properties, release and erectile dysfunction studies in male rats
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The objective of the present study was to improve the dissolution rate and aphrodisiac activity of tadalafil by using hydrophilic polymers. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation-Rota evaporator using Koliphore 188, Kollidon® VA64, and Kollidon® 30 polymers in a 1:1 ratio. Prepared tadalafil-solid dispersions (SDs) evaluated for yield, drug content, micromeritics properties, physicochemical characterizations, and aphrodisiac activity assessment. The optimized SDs TK188 showed size (2.175 ± 0.24 µm), percentage of content (98.89 ± 1.23%), yield (87.27 ± 3.13%), bulk density (0.496 ± 0.005 g/cm3), true density (0.646 ± 0.003 g/cm3), Carr’s index (23.25 ± 0.81), Hausner ratio (1.303 ± 0.003) and angle of repose (<25°). FTIR spectrums revealed tadalafil doesn’t chemically interact with used polymers. XRD and DSC analysis represents TK188 SDs were in the amorphous state. Drug release was 97.17 ± 2.43% for TK188, whereas it was 32.76 ± 2.65% for pure drug at the end of 2 h with 2.96-fold increase in dissolution and followed release kinetics of Korsmeyer Peppa’s model. MDT and DE were noted to be 17.48 minutes and 84.53%, respectively. Furthermore, TK188 SDs showed relative improvement in the sexual behavior of the male rats. Thus the developed SDs TK188 could be potential tadalafil carriers for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mohammed Muqtader Ahmed
creator: Md Khalid Anwer
creator: Gamal A. Soliman
creator: Mohammed F. Aldawsari
creator: Abdul Aleem Mohammed
creator: Sultan Alshehri
creator: Mohammed M. Ghoneim
creator: Amer S. Alali
creator: Abdullah Alshetaili
creator: Ahmed Alalaiwe
creator: Sarah I. Bukhari
creator: Ameeduzzafar Zafar
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13482
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Ahmed et al.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to improve the dissolution rate and aphrodisiac activity of tadalafil by using hydrophilic polymers. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation-Rota evaporator using Koliphore 188, Kollidon® VA64, and Kollidon® 30 polymers in a 1:1 ratio. Prepared tadalafil-solid dispersions (SDs) evaluated for yield, drug content, micromeritics properties, physicochemical characterizations, and aphrodisiac activity assessment. The optimized SDs TK188 showed size (2.175 ± 0.24 µm), percentage of content (98.89 ± 1.23%), yield (87.27 ± 3.13%), bulk density (0.496 ± 0.005 g/cm3), true density (0.646 ± 0.003 g/cm3), Carr’s index (23.25 ± 0.81), Hausner ratio (1.303 ± 0.003) and angle of repose (<25°). FTIR spectrums revealed tadalafil doesn’t chemically interact with used polymers. XRD and DSC analysis represents TK188 SDs were in the amorphous state. Drug release was 97.17 ± 2.43% for TK188, whereas it was 32.76 ± 2.65% for pure drug at the end of 2 h with 2.96-fold increase in dissolution and followed release kinetics of Korsmeyer Peppa’s model. MDT and DE were noted to be 17.48 minutes and 84.53%, respectively. Furthermore, TK188 SDs showed relative improvement in the sexual behavior of the male rats. Thus the developed SDs TK188 could be potential tadalafil carriers for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
bibliographic citation: Ahmed et al. (2022) Application of hydrophilic polymers for the preparation of tadalafil solid dispersions: micromeritics properties, release and erectile dysfunction studies in male rats. PeerJ 10:e13482 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13482
date submitted: 2021-12-28
date accepted: 2022-05-02
issued: 2022-05-26
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahmed
  given name: Mohammed Muqtader
author list: Agent
  family name: Anwer
  given name: Md Khalid
author list: Agent
  family name: Soliman
  given name: Gamal A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aldawsari
  given name: Mohammed F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohammed
  given name: Abdul Aleem
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshehri
  given name: Sultan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ghoneim
  given name: Mohammed M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alali
  given name: Amer S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshetaili
  given name: Abdullah
author list: Agent
  family name: Alalaiwe
  given name: Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Bukhari
  given name: Sarah I.
author list: Agent
  family name: Zafar
  given name: Ameeduzzafar
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13482
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-26
copyright: ©2022 Ahmed et al.
attribution name: Ahmed et al.

Healthcare applications of single camera markerless motion capture: a scoping review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Single camera markerless motion capture has the potential to facilitate at home movement assessment due to the ease of setup, portability, and affordable cost of the technology. However, it is not clear what the current healthcare applications of single camera markerless motion capture are and what information is being collected that may be used to inform clinical decision making. This review aims to map the available literature to highlight potential use cases and identify the limitations of the technology for clinicians and researchers interested in the collection of movement data. Survey Methodology Studies were collected up to 14 January 2022 using Pubmed, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus using a systematic search. Data recorded included the description of the markerless system, clinical outcome measures, and biomechanical data mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework (ICF). Studies were grouped by patient population. Results A total of 50 studies were included for data collection. Use cases for single camera markerless motion capture technology were identified for Neurological Injury in Children and Adults; Hereditary/Genetic Neuromuscular Disorders; Frailty; and Orthopaedic or Musculoskeletal groups. Single camera markerless systems were found to perform well in studies involving single plane measurements, such as in the analysis of infant general movements or spatiotemporal parameters of gait, when evaluated against 3D marker-based systems and a variety of clinical outcome measures. However, they were less capable than marker-based systems in studies requiring the tracking of detailed 3D kinematics or fine movements such as finger tracking. Conclusions Single camera markerless motion capture offers great potential for extending the scope of movement analysis outside of laboratory settings in a practical way, but currently suffers from a lack of accuracy where detailed 3D kinematics are required for clinical d…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bradley Scott
creator: Martin Seyres
creator: Fraser Philp
creator: Edward K. Chadwick
creator: Dimitra Blana
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Healthcare Services
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13517
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Scott et al.
abstract: Background Single camera markerless motion capture has the potential to facilitate at home movement assessment due to the ease of setup, portability, and affordable cost of the technology. However, it is not clear what the current healthcare applications of single camera markerless motion capture are and what information is being collected that may be used to inform clinical decision making. This review aims to map the available literature to highlight potential use cases and identify the limitations of the technology for clinicians and researchers interested in the collection of movement data. Survey Methodology Studies were collected up to 14 January 2022 using Pubmed, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus using a systematic search. Data recorded included the description of the markerless system, clinical outcome measures, and biomechanical data mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework (ICF). Studies were grouped by patient population. Results A total of 50 studies were included for data collection. Use cases for single camera markerless motion capture technology were identified for Neurological Injury in Children and Adults; Hereditary/Genetic Neuromuscular Disorders; Frailty; and Orthopaedic or Musculoskeletal groups. Single camera markerless systems were found to perform well in studies involving single plane measurements, such as in the analysis of infant general movements or spatiotemporal parameters of gait, when evaluated against 3D marker-based systems and a variety of clinical outcome measures. However, they were less capable than marker-based systems in studies requiring the tracking of detailed 3D kinematics or fine movements such as finger tracking. Conclusions Single camera markerless motion capture offers great potential for extending the scope of movement analysis outside of laboratory settings in a practical way, but currently suffers from a lack of accuracy where detailed 3D kinematics are required for clinical d…
bibliographic citation: Scott et al. (2022) Healthcare applications of single camera markerless motion capture: a scoping review. PeerJ 10:e13517 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13517
date submitted: 2022-03-08
date accepted: 2022-05-09
issued: 2022-05-26
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Scott
  given name: Bradley
author list: Agent
  family name: Seyres
  given name: Martin
author list: Agent
  family name: Philp
  given name: Fraser
author list: Agent
  family name: Chadwick
  given name: Edward K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Blana
  given name: Dimitra
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13517
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-26
copyright: ©2022 Scott et al.
attribution name: Scott et al.

Prevalence of food addiction using the Yale-C scale in Mexican children with overweight and obesity
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The prevalence of excess weight and obesity in children has increased significantly worldwide. The concept of food addiction (FA) has been associated with eating-related problems and obesity. Studies on this topic have primarily examined adult samples and little is known about addictive-like eating among Mexican children and adolescents. Methods We conducted this study to examinate the prevalence of FA in a group of 291 overweight and obese children and adolescents using YFAS scale for children (YFAS-C) in Mexico. Results According to the YFAS-C approximately 14.4% of participants met for FA diagnosis. Forty-two (14.4%) received a FA diagnosis: 14 children and 28 adolescents. The number of FA symptoms in participants who received an FA diagnosis (M = 4.35, SD = 1.07) compared to participants with no FA diagnosis (M = 1.70, SD = 1.53) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant gender differences and the proportion of subjects with an FA diagnosis did not differ by age between children and adolescents. FA is a focus of interest in attempting to explain certain behaviors that may contribute to the development of obesity and explain the failure of the weight loose programs in children.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Idalia Cura-Esquivel
creator: Juan Ramos-Álvarez
creator: Edna Delgado
creator: Airam Regalado-Ceballos
subject: Nutrition
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Public Health
subject: Obesity
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13500
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Cura-Esquivel et al.
abstract: Background The prevalence of excess weight and obesity in children has increased significantly worldwide. The concept of food addiction (FA) has been associated with eating-related problems and obesity. Studies on this topic have primarily examined adult samples and little is known about addictive-like eating among Mexican children and adolescents. Methods We conducted this study to examinate the prevalence of FA in a group of 291 overweight and obese children and adolescents using YFAS scale for children (YFAS-C) in Mexico. Results According to the YFAS-C approximately 14.4% of participants met for FA diagnosis. Forty-two (14.4%) received a FA diagnosis: 14 children and 28 adolescents. The number of FA symptoms in participants who received an FA diagnosis (M = 4.35, SD = 1.07) compared to participants with no FA diagnosis (M = 1.70, SD = 1.53) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant gender differences and the proportion of subjects with an FA diagnosis did not differ by age between children and adolescents. FA is a focus of interest in attempting to explain certain behaviors that may contribute to the development of obesity and explain the failure of the weight loose programs in children.
bibliographic citation: Cura-Esquivel et al. (2022) Prevalence of food addiction using the Yale-C scale in Mexican children with overweight and obesity. PeerJ 10:e13500 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13500
date submitted: 2022-01-20
date accepted: 2022-05-05
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cura-Esquivel
  given name: Idalia
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramos-Álvarez
  given name: Juan
author list: Agent
  family name: Delgado
  given name: Edna
author list: Agent
  family name: Regalado-Ceballos
  given name: Airam
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13500
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: ©2022 Cura-Esquivel et al.
attribution name: Cura-Esquivel et al.

Ageing- and AAA-associated differentially expressed proteins identified by proteomic analysis in mice
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease of high prevalence in old age, and its incidence gradually increases with increasing age. There were few studies about differences in the circulatory system in the incidence of AAA, mainly because younger patients with AAA are fewer and more comorbid nonatherosclerotic factors. Method We induced AAA in ApoE−/− male mice of different ages (10 or 24 weeks) and obtained plasma samples. After the top 14 most abundant proteins were detected, the plasma was analyzed by a proteomic study using the data-dependent acquisition (DDA) technique. The proteomic results were compared between different groups to identify age-related differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the circulation that contribute to AAA formation. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed by R software. The top 10 proteins were determined with the MCC method of Cytoscape, and transcription factor (TF) prediction of the DEPs was performed with iRegulon (Cytoscape). Results The aortic diameter fold increase was higher in the aged group than in the youth group (p < 0.01). Overall, 92 DEPs related to age and involved in AAA formation were identified. GO analysis of the DEPs showed enrichment of the terms wounding healing, response to oxidative stress, regulation of body fluid levels, ribose phosphate metabolic process, and blood coagulation. The KEGG pathway analysis showed enrichment of the terms platelet activation, complement and coagulation cascades, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and ECM-receptor interaction. The top 10 proteins were Tpi1, Eno1, Prdx1, Ppia, Prdx6, Vwf, Prdx2, Fga, Fgg, and Fgb, and the predicted TFs of these proteins were Nfe2, Srf, Epas1, Tbp, and Hoxc8. Conclusion The identified proteins related to age and involved in AAA formation were associated with the response to oxidative stress, coag…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jinrui Ren
creator: Jianqiang Wu
creator: Xiaoyue Tang
creator: Siliang Chen
creator: Wei Wang
creator: Yanze Lv
creator: Lianglin Wu
creator: Dan Yang
creator: Yuehong Zheng
subject: Cardiology
subject: Pathology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13129
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Ren et al.
abstract: Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease of high prevalence in old age, and its incidence gradually increases with increasing age. There were few studies about differences in the circulatory system in the incidence of AAA, mainly because younger patients with AAA are fewer and more comorbid nonatherosclerotic factors. Method We induced AAA in ApoE−/− male mice of different ages (10 or 24 weeks) and obtained plasma samples. After the top 14 most abundant proteins were detected, the plasma was analyzed by a proteomic study using the data-dependent acquisition (DDA) technique. The proteomic results were compared between different groups to identify age-related differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the circulation that contribute to AAA formation. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed by R software. The top 10 proteins were determined with the MCC method of Cytoscape, and transcription factor (TF) prediction of the DEPs was performed with iRegulon (Cytoscape). Results The aortic diameter fold increase was higher in the aged group than in the youth group (p < 0.01). Overall, 92 DEPs related to age and involved in AAA formation were identified. GO analysis of the DEPs showed enrichment of the terms wounding healing, response to oxidative stress, regulation of body fluid levels, ribose phosphate metabolic process, and blood coagulation. The KEGG pathway analysis showed enrichment of the terms platelet activation, complement and coagulation cascades, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and ECM-receptor interaction. The top 10 proteins were Tpi1, Eno1, Prdx1, Ppia, Prdx6, Vwf, Prdx2, Fga, Fgg, and Fgb, and the predicted TFs of these proteins were Nfe2, Srf, Epas1, Tbp, and Hoxc8. Conclusion The identified proteins related to age and involved in AAA formation were associated with the response to oxidative stress, coag…
bibliographic citation: Ren et al. (2022) Ageing- and AAA-associated differentially expressed proteins identified by proteomic analysis in mice. PeerJ 10:e13129 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13129
date submitted: 2021-12-22
date accepted: 2022-02-25
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Jinrui
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Jianqiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Xiaoyue
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Siliang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Lv
  given name: Yanze
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Lianglin
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Dan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Yuehong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13129
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: © 2022 Ren et al.
attribution name: Ren et al.

Exploring the perception and readiness of Pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation; a cross sectional analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Amid the turbulent nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, telepharmacy has shifted the paradigm of patient care by leveraging digital medicine. Government mandated lockdowns and norms of social distancing have further underscored the need for telepharmacy. Many developed and developing countries implemented such initiatives where pharmacists have provided tele-pharmacy services via telecommunications. However, the implementation and utilization of tele-pharmacy services are quite negligible in resource limited settings due to financial and administrative constraints. This study was aimed to ascertain the perception and readiness of pharmacists working in various sectors of a resource limiting country. Methodology A cross sectional study was carried out in all provinces of Pakistan to explore the perceptions of pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation through a 35-items study instrument. The collected data was analyzed descriptively and scored accordingly. The chi-square test was used for inferential analysis on pharmacist’s perception regarding implementation of tele-pharmacy with their demographics. Results Of 380 pharmacists, the mean age is 27.67 ± 3.67 years with a preponderance of male pharmacists (n = 238, 62.6%). The pharmacists (n = 321, 84.5%) perceived that telepharmacy implementation improves patient’s quality of life and decreases patients’ visits (n = 291, 76.6%). Overall, pharmacists (n = 227, 59.7%) had negative perception towards benefits of telepharmacy implementation, but pharmacists had positive perception towards eligibility (n = 258, 67.9%), regulatory issues (n = 271, 71.3%) and telepharmacy during pandemic and beyond (n = 312, 82.1%). In chi-square testing gender (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.03) had a significant association with perception regarding regulatory issues. Among perception regarding telepharmacy during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond age had a significant association (p = 0.03). Among perception regarding eligibility job loc…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Khayal Muhammad
creator: Mohamed A. Baraka
creator: Syed Sikandar Shah
creator: Muhammad Hammad Butt
creator: Haytham Wali
creator: Muhammad Saqlain
creator: Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
creator: Khezar Hayat
creator: Khairi Mustafa Fahelelbom
creator: Royes Joseph
creator: Yusra Habib Khan
subject: Health Policy
subject: Public Health
subject: COVID-19
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13296
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Muhammad et al.
abstract: Background Amid the turbulent nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, telepharmacy has shifted the paradigm of patient care by leveraging digital medicine. Government mandated lockdowns and norms of social distancing have further underscored the need for telepharmacy. Many developed and developing countries implemented such initiatives where pharmacists have provided tele-pharmacy services via telecommunications. However, the implementation and utilization of tele-pharmacy services are quite negligible in resource limited settings due to financial and administrative constraints. This study was aimed to ascertain the perception and readiness of pharmacists working in various sectors of a resource limiting country. Methodology A cross sectional study was carried out in all provinces of Pakistan to explore the perceptions of pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation through a 35-items study instrument. The collected data was analyzed descriptively and scored accordingly. The chi-square test was used for inferential analysis on pharmacist’s perception regarding implementation of tele-pharmacy with their demographics. Results Of 380 pharmacists, the mean age is 27.67 ± 3.67 years with a preponderance of male pharmacists (n = 238, 62.6%). The pharmacists (n = 321, 84.5%) perceived that telepharmacy implementation improves patient’s quality of life and decreases patients’ visits (n = 291, 76.6%). Overall, pharmacists (n = 227, 59.7%) had negative perception towards benefits of telepharmacy implementation, but pharmacists had positive perception towards eligibility (n = 258, 67.9%), regulatory issues (n = 271, 71.3%) and telepharmacy during pandemic and beyond (n = 312, 82.1%). In chi-square testing gender (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.03) had a significant association with perception regarding regulatory issues. Among perception regarding telepharmacy during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond age had a significant association (p = 0.03). Among perception regarding eligibility job loc…
bibliographic citation: Muhammad et al. (2022) Exploring the perception and readiness of Pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation; a cross sectional analysis. PeerJ 10:e13296 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13296
date submitted: 2021-10-19
date accepted: 2022-03-28
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Muhammad
  given name: Khayal
author list: Agent
  family name: Baraka
  given name: Mohamed A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Shah
  given name: Syed Sikandar
author list: Agent
  family name: Butt
  given name: Muhammad Hammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Wali
  given name: Haytham
author list: Agent
  family name: Saqlain
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Mallhi
  given name: Tauqeer Hussain
author list: Agent
  family name: Hayat
  given name: Khezar
author list: Agent
  family name: Fahelelbom
  given name: Khairi Mustafa
author list: Agent
  family name: Joseph
  given name: Royes
author list: Agent
  family name: Khan
  given name: Yusra Habib
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13296
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: © 2022 Muhammad et al.
attribution name: Muhammad et al.

Overexpression of AmCBF1 enhances drought and cold stress tolerance, and improves photosynthesis in transgenic cotton
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: China’s main cotton production area is located in the northwest where abiotic stresses, particularly cold and drought, have serious effects on cotton production. In this study, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus C-repeat-binding factor (AmCBF1) isolated from the shrub Ammopiptanthus mongolicus was inserted into upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivar R15 to evaluate the potential benefits of this gene. Two transgenic lines were selected, and the transgene insertion site was identified using whole-genome sequencing. The results showed that AmCBF1 was incorporated into the cotton genome as a single copy. Transgenic plants had distinctly higher relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, and lower ion leakage than R15 after drought and cold stress. Some characteristics, such as the area of lower epidermal cells, stomatal density, and root to shoot ratio, varied significantly between transgenic cotton lines and R15. Although the photosynthetic ability of transgenic plants was inhibited after stress, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate in transgenic plants were significantly higher than in R15. This suggested that an enhanced stress tolerance and photosynthesis of transgenic cotton was achieved by overexpressing AmCBF1. All together, our results demonstrate that the new transgenic cotton germplasm has great application value against abiotic stresses, especially in the northwest inland area of China.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Guoqing Lu
creator: Lihua Wang
creator: Lili Zhou
creator: Xiaofeng Su
creator: Huiming Guo
creator: Hongmei Cheng
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13422
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Lu et al.
abstract: China’s main cotton production area is located in the northwest where abiotic stresses, particularly cold and drought, have serious effects on cotton production. In this study, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus C-repeat-binding factor (AmCBF1) isolated from the shrub Ammopiptanthus mongolicus was inserted into upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivar R15 to evaluate the potential benefits of this gene. Two transgenic lines were selected, and the transgene insertion site was identified using whole-genome sequencing. The results showed that AmCBF1 was incorporated into the cotton genome as a single copy. Transgenic plants had distinctly higher relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, and lower ion leakage than R15 after drought and cold stress. Some characteristics, such as the area of lower epidermal cells, stomatal density, and root to shoot ratio, varied significantly between transgenic cotton lines and R15. Although the photosynthetic ability of transgenic plants was inhibited after stress, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate in transgenic plants were significantly higher than in R15. This suggested that an enhanced stress tolerance and photosynthesis of transgenic cotton was achieved by overexpressing AmCBF1. All together, our results demonstrate that the new transgenic cotton germplasm has great application value against abiotic stresses, especially in the northwest inland area of China.
bibliographic citation: Lu et al. (2022) Overexpression of AmCBF1 enhances drought and cold stress tolerance, and improves photosynthesis in transgenic cotton. PeerJ 10:e13422 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13422
date submitted: 2021-11-30
date accepted: 2022-04-20
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Guoqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Lihua
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Lili
author list: Agent
  family name: Su
  given name: Xiaofeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Huiming
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Hongmei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13422
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: ©2022 Lu et al.
attribution name: Lu et al.

Influence of hot air drying on capsaicinoids, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activities of ‘Super Hot’ chilies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Hot air drying is an alternative technique to either maintain or increase bioactive compounds in agricultural products because temperatures can be controlled. The effects of different hot air oven drying temperatures and times on the physicochemical changes, bioactive compounds (capsaicinoids, phenolic and flavonoid profiles and contents) and antioxidant activities in dried ‘Super Hot’ chili fruits were evaluated. The chilies were dried in a hot air oven at low (60–100 °C) or high (120–160 °C) temperatures for 30, 60, 120 min and at 12–13% moisture content (MC). The main compounds presented in chili fruits were capsaicinoids, limonene, pinene, tocopherol and oleic acid, regardless of drying temperature and time. Although the total flavonoid contents decreased during the drying process, the total phenolic contents increased (38–51%), and capsaicinoids, the primary pungent compounds, increased six-times at 120–160 °C compared to the fresh chilies. The phenolic profiles showed that chlorogenic acid was the most stable and abundant amongst the nine quantified phenolic compounds. In the flavonoid profile, both rutin and quercetin can be detected at a high temperature of 160 °C, with a decreasing trend. The main pungent compounds, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, were found to increase compared to the fresh chilies, especially at 12–13% wet basis (w.b.). Although the antioxidant activities (ABTS• + and DPPH•) of dried chilies at all temperatures decreased with increasing drying time, these activities were still detected. Therefore, drying chilies at 160 °C (120 min) can not only maintain the capsaicinoids, phenolics and flavonoids that can be utilized by the pharmaceutical and food industry, but can also reduce the production time.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Esther Shiau Ping Yap
creator: Apiradee Uthairatanakij
creator: Natta Laohakunjit
creator: Pongphen Jitareerat
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13423
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Yap et al.
abstract: Hot air drying is an alternative technique to either maintain or increase bioactive compounds in agricultural products because temperatures can be controlled. The effects of different hot air oven drying temperatures and times on the physicochemical changes, bioactive compounds (capsaicinoids, phenolic and flavonoid profiles and contents) and antioxidant activities in dried ‘Super Hot’ chili fruits were evaluated. The chilies were dried in a hot air oven at low (60–100 °C) or high (120–160 °C) temperatures for 30, 60, 120 min and at 12–13% moisture content (MC). The main compounds presented in chili fruits were capsaicinoids, limonene, pinene, tocopherol and oleic acid, regardless of drying temperature and time. Although the total flavonoid contents decreased during the drying process, the total phenolic contents increased (38–51%), and capsaicinoids, the primary pungent compounds, increased six-times at 120–160 °C compared to the fresh chilies. The phenolic profiles showed that chlorogenic acid was the most stable and abundant amongst the nine quantified phenolic compounds. In the flavonoid profile, both rutin and quercetin can be detected at a high temperature of 160 °C, with a decreasing trend. The main pungent compounds, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, were found to increase compared to the fresh chilies, especially at 12–13% wet basis (w.b.). Although the antioxidant activities (ABTS• + and DPPH•) of dried chilies at all temperatures decreased with increasing drying time, these activities were still detected. Therefore, drying chilies at 160 °C (120 min) can not only maintain the capsaicinoids, phenolics and flavonoids that can be utilized by the pharmaceutical and food industry, but can also reduce the production time.
bibliographic citation: Yap et al. (2022) Influence of hot air drying on capsaicinoids, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activities of ‘Super Hot’ chilies. PeerJ 10:e13423 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13423
date submitted: 2021-11-04
date accepted: 2022-04-20
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yap
  given name: Esther Shiau Ping
author list: Agent
  family name: Uthairatanakij
  given name: Apiradee
author list: Agent
  family name: Laohakunjit
  given name: Natta
author list: Agent
  family name: Jitareerat
  given name: Pongphen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13423
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: ©2022 Yap et al.
attribution name: Yap et al.

Heat stress response in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) revealed by transcriptome and physiological analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: High temperatures have a serious impact on the quality and yield of cold-loving Chinese cabbage, which has evolved to have a unique set of stress mechanisms. To explore the relationship between these mechanisms and the heat-tolerance of Chinese cabbage, the physiological indicators of the heat-tolerant ‘268’ line and heat-sensitive ‘334’ line were measured. Under heat stress, the proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) indexes of the ‘268’ line increased significantly. When additionally using transcriptome analysis, we found that the identified 3,360 DEGs were abundantly enriched in many metabolic pathways including ‘plant hormone signal transduction’, ‘carbon metabolism’, and ‘glycolysis/gluconeogenesis’. Dynamic gene expression patterns showed that HKL1 in Cluster 15 may be a key factor in the regulation of sugar homeostasis. The interaction network screened four ABA-related genes in Cluster 15, suggesting that high temperatures lead to changes in hormonal signaling, especially an increase in ABA signaling. Compared with the ‘334’ line, the expressions of Prx50, Prx52, Prx54, SOD1, and SOD2 in the ‘268’ line were significantly upregulated, and these genes were actively involved in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging process. In summary, our results revealed the relationship between plant heat tolerance, physiology, and biochemistry and may also provide ideas for the future development of high-quality and heat-tolerant Chinese cabbage germplasm resources.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lei Zhang
creator: Yun Dai
creator: Lixin Yue
creator: Guohu Chen
creator: Lingyun Yuan
creator: Shifan Zhang
creator: Fei Li
creator: Hui Zhang
creator: Guoliang Li
creator: Shidong Zhu
creator: Jinfeng Hou
creator: Xiaoyan Tang
creator: Shujiang Zhang
creator: Chenggang Wang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Genomics
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13427
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zhang et al.
abstract: High temperatures have a serious impact on the quality and yield of cold-loving Chinese cabbage, which has evolved to have a unique set of stress mechanisms. To explore the relationship between these mechanisms and the heat-tolerance of Chinese cabbage, the physiological indicators of the heat-tolerant ‘268’ line and heat-sensitive ‘334’ line were measured. Under heat stress, the proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) indexes of the ‘268’ line increased significantly. When additionally using transcriptome analysis, we found that the identified 3,360 DEGs were abundantly enriched in many metabolic pathways including ‘plant hormone signal transduction’, ‘carbon metabolism’, and ‘glycolysis/gluconeogenesis’. Dynamic gene expression patterns showed that HKL1 in Cluster 15 may be a key factor in the regulation of sugar homeostasis. The interaction network screened four ABA-related genes in Cluster 15, suggesting that high temperatures lead to changes in hormonal signaling, especially an increase in ABA signaling. Compared with the ‘334’ line, the expressions of Prx50, Prx52, Prx54, SOD1, and SOD2 in the ‘268’ line were significantly upregulated, and these genes were actively involved in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging process. In summary, our results revealed the relationship between plant heat tolerance, physiology, and biochemistry and may also provide ideas for the future development of high-quality and heat-tolerant Chinese cabbage germplasm resources.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2022) Heat stress response in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) revealed by transcriptome and physiological analysis. PeerJ 10:e13427 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13427
date submitted: 2022-01-03
date accepted: 2022-04-21
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lei
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Yun
author list: Agent
  family name: Yue
  given name: Lixin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Guohu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Lingyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Shifan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Guoliang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Shidong
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Jinfeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Xiaoyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Shujiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Chenggang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13427
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: © 2022 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Integrative analysis of transcriptome complexity in pig granulosa cells by long-read isoform sequencing
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background In intensive and large-scale farms, abnormal estradiol levels in sows can cause reproductive disorders. The high incidence rate of reproductive disturbance will induce the elimination of productive sows in large quantities, and the poor management will bring great losses to the pig farms. The change in estradiol level has an important effect on follicular development and estrus of sows. To solve this practical problem and improve the productive capacity of sows, it is significant to further clarify the regulatory mechanism of estradiol synthesis in porcine granulosa cells (GCs). The most important function of granulosa cells is to synthesize estradiol. Thus, the studies about the complex transcriptome in porcine GCs are significant. As for precursor-messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs), their post-transcriptional modification, such as alternative polyadenylation (APA) and alternative splicing (AS), together with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), may regulate the functions of granulosa cells. However, the above modification events and their function are unclear within pig granulosa cells. Methods Combined PacBio long-read isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) was conducted in this work for generating porcine granulosa cells’ transcriptomic data. We discovered new transcripts and possible gene loci via comparison against reference genome. Later, combined Iso-Seq data were adopted to uncover those post-transcriptional modifications such as APA or AS, together with lncRNA within porcine granulosa cells. For confirming that the Iso-Seq data were reliable, we chose four AS genes and analyzed them through RT-PCR. Results The present article illustrated that pig GCs had a complex transcriptome, which gave rise to 8,793 APA, 3,465 AS events, 703 candidate new gene loci, as well as 92 lncRNAs. The results of this study revealed the complex transcriptome in pig GCs. It provided a basis for the interpretation of the molecular mechanism in GCs.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shuxin Li
creator: Jiarui Wang
creator: Jiale Li
creator: Meihong Yue
creator: Chuncheng Liu
creator: Libing Ma
creator: Ying Liu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13446
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Li et al.
abstract: Background In intensive and large-scale farms, abnormal estradiol levels in sows can cause reproductive disorders. The high incidence rate of reproductive disturbance will induce the elimination of productive sows in large quantities, and the poor management will bring great losses to the pig farms. The change in estradiol level has an important effect on follicular development and estrus of sows. To solve this practical problem and improve the productive capacity of sows, it is significant to further clarify the regulatory mechanism of estradiol synthesis in porcine granulosa cells (GCs). The most important function of granulosa cells is to synthesize estradiol. Thus, the studies about the complex transcriptome in porcine GCs are significant. As for precursor-messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs), their post-transcriptional modification, such as alternative polyadenylation (APA) and alternative splicing (AS), together with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), may regulate the functions of granulosa cells. However, the above modification events and their function are unclear within pig granulosa cells. Methods Combined PacBio long-read isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) was conducted in this work for generating porcine granulosa cells’ transcriptomic data. We discovered new transcripts and possible gene loci via comparison against reference genome. Later, combined Iso-Seq data were adopted to uncover those post-transcriptional modifications such as APA or AS, together with lncRNA within porcine granulosa cells. For confirming that the Iso-Seq data were reliable, we chose four AS genes and analyzed them through RT-PCR. Results The present article illustrated that pig GCs had a complex transcriptome, which gave rise to 8,793 APA, 3,465 AS events, 703 candidate new gene loci, as well as 92 lncRNAs. The results of this study revealed the complex transcriptome in pig GCs. It provided a basis for the interpretation of the molecular mechanism in GCs.
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2022) Integrative analysis of transcriptome complexity in pig granulosa cells by long-read isoform sequencing. PeerJ 10:e13446 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13446
date submitted: 2022-02-03
date accepted: 2022-04-26
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Shuxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jiarui
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jiale
author list: Agent
  family name: Yue
  given name: Meihong
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Chuncheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Libing
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Ying
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13446
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: ©2022 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

Nutrient composition of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. bran: Fractionation and bioactivity of its soluble active polysaccharides
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. Amaranthaceae—also known as Djulis or red quinoa (RQ)—is a cereal plant indigenous to Taiwan, known for its high nutrient value. However, its bran is considered a waste product and the nutrient value has never been analyzed. Methods In this study, we examined the proximate composition of RQ bran, specifically its soluble polysaccharide fractions. Results RQ bran exhibited high contents of protein (16.56%), ash (7.10%), carbohydrate (60.45%), total polyphenolics (1.85%), betaxanthin (9.91 mg/100 g of RQ bran), and indicaxanthin (7.27 mg/100 g of RQ bran). Specifically, it was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 39.24%)—with an n-6/n-3 and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio of 18.137 and 0.743, respectively. Four soluble polysaccharide fractions were also obtained: CF-1, CF-2, CF-3, and CF-4, with yields of 3.90%, 6.74%, 22.28%, and 0.06%, respectively, and molecular weights of 32.54, 24.93, 72.39, and 55.45 kDa, respectively. CF-1, CF-2, CF-3, and CF-4 had respectively 15.67%, 42.41%, 5.44%, and 14.52% peptide moiety content and 38.92%, 50.70%, 93.76%, and 19.80% carbohydrate moiety. In CF-2, the glucose content was 95.86 mol% and that of leucine was 16.23%, implicating the presence of a typical leucinoglucan. All four polysaccharide fractions lacked glutamic acid and hydroxyproline. The IC50 of CF-1, CF-2, and CF-3 was respectively 12.05, 3.98, and 14.5 mg/mL for DPPH free radical–scavenging ability; 5.77, 4.10, and 7.03 mg/mL for hydrogen peroxide–scavenging capability; 0.26, 0.05, and 0.19 mg/mL for O2− free radical–scavenging capability; and 100.41, 28.12, and 29.73 mg/mL for Fe2+ chelation. Conclusion Our results indicated that RQ bran has a large amount of nutrient compounds, and a cost-efficient process for their extraction is needed. Their biomedical application as nutraceuticals also warrants further investigation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yaw-Bee Ker
creator: Hui-Ling Wu
creator: Kuan-Chou Chen
creator: Robert Y. Peng
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13459
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Ker et al.
abstract: Background Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. Amaranthaceae—also known as Djulis or red quinoa (RQ)—is a cereal plant indigenous to Taiwan, known for its high nutrient value. However, its bran is considered a waste product and the nutrient value has never been analyzed. Methods In this study, we examined the proximate composition of RQ bran, specifically its soluble polysaccharide fractions. Results RQ bran exhibited high contents of protein (16.56%), ash (7.10%), carbohydrate (60.45%), total polyphenolics (1.85%), betaxanthin (9.91 mg/100 g of RQ bran), and indicaxanthin (7.27 mg/100 g of RQ bran). Specifically, it was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 39.24%)—with an n-6/n-3 and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio of 18.137 and 0.743, respectively. Four soluble polysaccharide fractions were also obtained: CF-1, CF-2, CF-3, and CF-4, with yields of 3.90%, 6.74%, 22.28%, and 0.06%, respectively, and molecular weights of 32.54, 24.93, 72.39, and 55.45 kDa, respectively. CF-1, CF-2, CF-3, and CF-4 had respectively 15.67%, 42.41%, 5.44%, and 14.52% peptide moiety content and 38.92%, 50.70%, 93.76%, and 19.80% carbohydrate moiety. In CF-2, the glucose content was 95.86 mol% and that of leucine was 16.23%, implicating the presence of a typical leucinoglucan. All four polysaccharide fractions lacked glutamic acid and hydroxyproline. The IC50 of CF-1, CF-2, and CF-3 was respectively 12.05, 3.98, and 14.5 mg/mL for DPPH free radical–scavenging ability; 5.77, 4.10, and 7.03 mg/mL for hydrogen peroxide–scavenging capability; 0.26, 0.05, and 0.19 mg/mL for O2− free radical–scavenging capability; and 100.41, 28.12, and 29.73 mg/mL for Fe2+ chelation. Conclusion Our results indicated that RQ bran has a large amount of nutrient compounds, and a cost-efficient process for their extraction is needed. Their biomedical application as nutraceuticals also warrants further investigation.
bibliographic citation: Ker et al. (2022) Nutrient composition of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. bran: Fractionation and bioactivity of its soluble active polysaccharides. PeerJ 10:e13459 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13459
date submitted: 2021-09-13
date accepted: 2022-04-27
issued: 2022-05-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ker
  given name: Yaw-Bee
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Hui-Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Kuan-Chou
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Robert Y.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13459
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-25
copyright: ©2022 Ker et al.
attribution name: Ker et al.

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