PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the vagina of yak (Bos grunniens)
items: Using cluster and rest redistribution set structures as alternatives to resistance training prescription method based on velocity loss thresholds
items: Comprehensive analysis of the correlations of S100B with hypoxia response and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
items: Relation between lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a retrospective cohort study
items: The relationship between distal trunk morphology and object grasping in the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana)
items: The association between sedentary behavior and low back pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
items: Polymorphism in a Neotropical toad species: ontogenetic, populational and geographic approaches to chromatic variation in Proceratophrys cristiceps (Müller, 1883) (Amphibia, Anura, Odontophrynidae)
items: Research progress of aldehyde oxidases in plants
items: Are Toxoplasma-infected subjects more attractive, symmetrical, or healthier than non-infected ones? Evidence from subjective and objective measurements
items: Knowing the gap: medication use, adherence and blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings

In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the vagina of yak (Bos grunniens)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bovine endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the uterus that occurs after parturition and can result in the destruction of uterine microecology, disruption of hormone secretion, and even infertility. Problems such as antibiotic residues, pathogen resistance, and microbiota dysbiosis caused by conventional antibiotic therapy cannot be ignored. According to the microecological balance theory, probiotics have the potential to prevent or cure endometritis in cattle. Probiotics can positively influence host physiology by regulating microecological imbalance, modulating immunity, and antagonizing pathogens. Since some probiotics contribute to host health only in their specific natural niches, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the vagina may have better potential to fight against vaginal and uterine infection. The yak (Bos grunniens) is an ancient and primitive livestock animal that is adapted to high altitude and harsh environments (cold, nutritional deficiencies, and hypoxia). However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies on yak vaginal LAB. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to isolate vaginal LAB from yak, evaluate and compare the probiotic potential and safety of the isolates, and help establish the probiotics library that can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of endometritis. Twenty-five vaginal swabs were collected from healthy yak and cultured in deMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth. Tentative LAB strains were preliminarily determined through calcium dissolving zone and morphological identification, and the strains were then identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The probiotics of the isolates were detected using cell aggregation, hydrophobicity, resistance to acid and bile salt, adhesion, and antibacterial activities. Additionally, antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and detection of potential virulence factors were determined in order to confirm the safety of these strains. Five isolates were identified: Leuconostoc me…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qingli Zhang
creator: Yangyang Pan
creator: Meng Wang
creator: Liang Sun
creator: Yao Xi
creator: Mei Li
creator: Qiaoying Zeng
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Microbiology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13177
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zhang et al.
abstract: Bovine endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the uterus that occurs after parturition and can result in the destruction of uterine microecology, disruption of hormone secretion, and even infertility. Problems such as antibiotic residues, pathogen resistance, and microbiota dysbiosis caused by conventional antibiotic therapy cannot be ignored. According to the microecological balance theory, probiotics have the potential to prevent or cure endometritis in cattle. Probiotics can positively influence host physiology by regulating microecological imbalance, modulating immunity, and antagonizing pathogens. Since some probiotics contribute to host health only in their specific natural niches, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the vagina may have better potential to fight against vaginal and uterine infection. The yak (Bos grunniens) is an ancient and primitive livestock animal that is adapted to high altitude and harsh environments (cold, nutritional deficiencies, and hypoxia). However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies on yak vaginal LAB. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to isolate vaginal LAB from yak, evaluate and compare the probiotic potential and safety of the isolates, and help establish the probiotics library that can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of endometritis. Twenty-five vaginal swabs were collected from healthy yak and cultured in deMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth. Tentative LAB strains were preliminarily determined through calcium dissolving zone and morphological identification, and the strains were then identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The probiotics of the isolates were detected using cell aggregation, hydrophobicity, resistance to acid and bile salt, adhesion, and antibacterial activities. Additionally, antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and detection of potential virulence factors were determined in order to confirm the safety of these strains. Five isolates were identified: Leuconostoc me…
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2022) In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the vagina of yak (Bos grunniens). PeerJ 10:e13177 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13177
date submitted: 2021-11-17
date accepted: 2022-03-07
issued: 2022-03-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Qingli
author list: Agent
  family name: Pan
  given name: Yangyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Meng
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Liang
author list: Agent
  family name: Xi
  given name: Yao
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Mei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zeng
  given name: Qiaoying
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13177
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-29
copyright: © 2022 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Using cluster and rest redistribution set structures as alternatives to resistance training prescription method based on velocity loss thresholds
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cluster (CS), rest redistribution (RR) and traditional (TS) set configurations on acute neuromuscular performance, and to determine the viability of using CS and RR as alternatives to training prescription based on velocity loss (VL). Methods Thirty-one resistance-trained men performed, in a randomised order, three experimental sessions consisting of the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises performed against the 10-repetition maximum load using CS (three sets of six repetitions; 30 s of intra-set rest every two repetitions; 3 min of inter-set rest), RR (9 sets of two repetitions; 45 s of inter-set rest), and TS (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 3 min of inter-set rest), set configurations. Results Linear mixed-effects model analysis revealed that participants had significantly lower VL (p = 0.0005) during CS and RR than TS. Generalised mixed-effects model analysis yielded significant main effects of set structure (p < 0.0001; RR > CS > TS), exercise (p < 0.0001; SQ > BP), and set number (p = 0.0006; Set 1 > Set 2 > Set 3) for maintaining repetition velocity above a 20% VL threshold. Conclusions These findings suggest that CS and RR are effective at reducing the overall fatigue-included decrease in velocity compared to TS and allow the majority of repetitions to be completed with less than 20% VL. Therefore, both CS and RR can be used to manage fatigue during resistance training, and as alternatives to training prescription method based on 20% VL threshold.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ivan Jukic
creator: Eric R. Helms
creator: Michael R. McGuigan
creator: Amador García-Ramos
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13195
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Jukic et al.
abstract: Background The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cluster (CS), rest redistribution (RR) and traditional (TS) set configurations on acute neuromuscular performance, and to determine the viability of using CS and RR as alternatives to training prescription based on velocity loss (VL). Methods Thirty-one resistance-trained men performed, in a randomised order, three experimental sessions consisting of the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises performed against the 10-repetition maximum load using CS (three sets of six repetitions; 30 s of intra-set rest every two repetitions; 3 min of inter-set rest), RR (9 sets of two repetitions; 45 s of inter-set rest), and TS (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 3 min of inter-set rest), set configurations. Results Linear mixed-effects model analysis revealed that participants had significantly lower VL (p = 0.0005) during CS and RR than TS. Generalised mixed-effects model analysis yielded significant main effects of set structure (p < 0.0001; RR > CS > TS), exercise (p < 0.0001; SQ > BP), and set number (p = 0.0006; Set 1 > Set 2 > Set 3) for maintaining repetition velocity above a 20% VL threshold. Conclusions These findings suggest that CS and RR are effective at reducing the overall fatigue-included decrease in velocity compared to TS and allow the majority of repetitions to be completed with less than 20% VL. Therefore, both CS and RR can be used to manage fatigue during resistance training, and as alternatives to training prescription method based on 20% VL threshold.
bibliographic citation: Jukic et al. (2022) Using cluster and rest redistribution set structures as alternatives to resistance training prescription method based on velocity loss thresholds. PeerJ 10:e13195 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13195
date submitted: 2021-12-16
date accepted: 2022-03-09
issued: 2022-03-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jukic
  given name: Ivan
author list: Agent
  family name: Helms
  given name: Eric R.
author list: Agent
  family name: McGuigan
  given name: Michael R.
author list: Agent
  family name: García-Ramos
  given name: Amador
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13195
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-29
copyright: © 2022 Jukic et al.
attribution name: Jukic et al.

Comprehensive analysis of the correlations of S100B with hypoxia response and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: S100B has been found to be dysregulated in many cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the functions of S100B and its underlying mechanisms in HCC remain poorly understood, especially in the tumor microenvironment. In this study, functions enrichment analysis indicated that S100B expression was correlated with hypoxia and immune responses. We found that hypoxia could induce S100B expression in an HIF-1α-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Luciferase reporter and ChIP-qRCR assays demonstrated that HIF-1α regulates S100B transcription by directly binding to hypoxia-response elements (HREs) of the S100B promoter. Functionally, knockdown of S100B reduces hypoxia-induced HepG2 cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, GSVA enrichment results displayed that S100B and its co-expressed genes were positively correlated with EMT pathway in HCC. Additionally, GO/KEGG cluster analysis results indicated that co-expressed genes of S100B were involved in biological processes of immune response and multiple tumor immune-related signaling pathways in HCC. S100B expression was positively correlated with multiple immune cells tumor infiltration and associated with chemokines/chemokine receptors and immune checkpoint genes. Moreover, S100B is predominantly expressed in immune cells, especially NK (Natural Killer) cell. In addition, the hub genes of S100B co-expression and hypoxia response in HepG2 cell were also associated with immune cells infiltration in HCC. Taken together, these findings provide a new insight into the complex networks between hypoxia response and immune cells infiltration in tumor microenvironment of liver cancer. S100B maybe serve as a novel target for future HCC therapies.
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format: text/html
creator: Jia Yan
creator: Ya jun Huang
creator: Qing yu Huang
creator: Peng Xia Liu
creator: Chang Shan Wang
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13201
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Yan et al.
abstract: S100B has been found to be dysregulated in many cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the functions of S100B and its underlying mechanisms in HCC remain poorly understood, especially in the tumor microenvironment. In this study, functions enrichment analysis indicated that S100B expression was correlated with hypoxia and immune responses. We found that hypoxia could induce S100B expression in an HIF-1α-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Luciferase reporter and ChIP-qRCR assays demonstrated that HIF-1α regulates S100B transcription by directly binding to hypoxia-response elements (HREs) of the S100B promoter. Functionally, knockdown of S100B reduces hypoxia-induced HepG2 cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, GSVA enrichment results displayed that S100B and its co-expressed genes were positively correlated with EMT pathway in HCC. Additionally, GO/KEGG cluster analysis results indicated that co-expressed genes of S100B were involved in biological processes of immune response and multiple tumor immune-related signaling pathways in HCC. S100B expression was positively correlated with multiple immune cells tumor infiltration and associated with chemokines/chemokine receptors and immune checkpoint genes. Moreover, S100B is predominantly expressed in immune cells, especially NK (Natural Killer) cell. In addition, the hub genes of S100B co-expression and hypoxia response in HepG2 cell were also associated with immune cells infiltration in HCC. Taken together, these findings provide a new insight into the complex networks between hypoxia response and immune cells infiltration in tumor microenvironment of liver cancer. S100B maybe serve as a novel target for future HCC therapies.
bibliographic citation: Yan et al. (2022) Comprehensive analysis of the correlations of S100B with hypoxia response and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 10:e13201 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13201
date submitted: 2021-12-06
date accepted: 2022-03-09
issued: 2022-03-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yan
  given name: Jia
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Ya jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Qing yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Peng Xia
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Chang Shan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13201
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-29
copyright: © 2022 Yan et al.
attribution name: Yan et al.

Relation between lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a retrospective cohort study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has been proposed as a novel prognostic factor in malignancies and cardiovascular diseases. Our study aimed to ascertain whether LMR is a useful biomarker in discriminating the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients at higher risk of all-cause mortality. Methods This retrospective study consisted of 354 adult HCM patients. Cox’s proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between LMR and all-cause mortality. Smooth curve fitting was conducted to explore the linear relationship between LMR and all-cause mortality. Results During the follow-up, 44 patients reached the study endpoint. The all-cause mortality rate was 7.3 per 100 person-years in the first tertile and decreased across the three tertiles of LMR. With the first tertile as reference, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality were 0.43 for the second tertile (95% CI [0.20–0.91], p = 0.027) and 0.39 for the third tertile (95% CI [0.17–0.90], p = 0.028), respectively. Smooth curve fitting exhibited a nonlinear relationship between LMR values and all-cause mortality. For LMR < 6.5, per SD increase resulted in a significantly decreased risk of all-cause mortality by 62% (HR: 0.38, 95% CI [0.21–0.68]). For LMR ≥ 6.5, the all-cause mortality risk did not progressively increase. Stratified and subgroup analyses revealed similar results to the main analyses,andE-value analysis suggested robustness to unmeasured confounding. Conclusions The study demonstrated that LMR was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in HCM patients, and LMR may be useful for identifying HCM patients at high mortality risk.
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creator: Zhonglan Chen
creator: Ziqiong Wang
creator: Youping Li
creator: Xiaoping Chen
creator: Sen He
subject: Cardiology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Internal Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13212
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Chen et al.
abstract: Background The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has been proposed as a novel prognostic factor in malignancies and cardiovascular diseases. Our study aimed to ascertain whether LMR is a useful biomarker in discriminating the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients at higher risk of all-cause mortality. Methods This retrospective study consisted of 354 adult HCM patients. Cox’s proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between LMR and all-cause mortality. Smooth curve fitting was conducted to explore the linear relationship between LMR and all-cause mortality. Results During the follow-up, 44 patients reached the study endpoint. The all-cause mortality rate was 7.3 per 100 person-years in the first tertile and decreased across the three tertiles of LMR. With the first tertile as reference, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality were 0.43 for the second tertile (95% CI [0.20–0.91], p = 0.027) and 0.39 for the third tertile (95% CI [0.17–0.90], p = 0.028), respectively. Smooth curve fitting exhibited a nonlinear relationship between LMR values and all-cause mortality. For LMR < 6.5, per SD increase resulted in a significantly decreased risk of all-cause mortality by 62% (HR: 0.38, 95% CI [0.21–0.68]). For LMR ≥ 6.5, the all-cause mortality risk did not progressively increase. Stratified and subgroup analyses revealed similar results to the main analyses,andE-value analysis suggested robustness to unmeasured confounding. Conclusions The study demonstrated that LMR was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in HCM patients, and LMR may be useful for identifying HCM patients at high mortality risk.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2022) Relation between lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a retrospective cohort study. PeerJ 10:e13212 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13212
date submitted: 2021-10-20
date accepted: 2022-03-11
issued: 2022-03-29
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Zhonglan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ziqiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Youping
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiaoping
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Sen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13212
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-29
copyright: ©2022 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

The relationship between distal trunk morphology and object grasping in the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background During reach-to-grasp movements, the human hand is preshaped depending on the properties of the object. Preshaping may result from learning, morphology, or motor control variability and can confer a selective advantage on that individual or species. This preshaping ability is known in several mammals (i.e., primates, carnivores and rodents). However, apart from the tongue preshaping of lizards and chameleons, little is known about preshaping of other grasping appendages. In particular, the elephant trunk, a muscular hydrostat, has impressive grasping skills and thus is commonly called a hand. Data on elephant trunk grasping strategies are scarce, and nothing is known about whether elephants preshape their trunk tip according to the properties of their food. Methods To determine the influence of food sizes and shapes on the form of the trunk tip, we investigated the morphology of the distal part of the trunk during grasping movements. The influence of food item form on trunk tip shape was quantified in six female African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana). Three food item types were presented to the elephants (elongated, flat, and cubic), as well as three different sizes of cubic items. A total of 107 ± 10 grips per individual were video recorded, and the related trunk tip shapes were recorded with a 2D geometric morphometric approach. Results Half of the individuals adjusted the shape of the distal part of their trunk according to the object type. Of the three elephants that did not preshape their trunk tip, one was blind and another was subadult. Discussion and perspectives We found that elephants preshaped their trunk tip, similar to the preshaping of other species’ hands or paws during reach-to-grasp movements. This preshaping may be influenced by visual feedback and individual learning. To confirm these results, this study could be replicated with a larger sample of elephants.
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format: text/html
creator: Julie Soppelsa
creator: Emmanuelle Pouydebat
creator: Maëlle Lefeuvre
creator: Baptiste Mulot
creator: Céline Houssin
creator: Raphaël Cornette
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13108
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Soppelsa et al.
abstract: Background During reach-to-grasp movements, the human hand is preshaped depending on the properties of the object. Preshaping may result from learning, morphology, or motor control variability and can confer a selective advantage on that individual or species. This preshaping ability is known in several mammals (i.e., primates, carnivores and rodents). However, apart from the tongue preshaping of lizards and chameleons, little is known about preshaping of other grasping appendages. In particular, the elephant trunk, a muscular hydrostat, has impressive grasping skills and thus is commonly called a hand. Data on elephant trunk grasping strategies are scarce, and nothing is known about whether elephants preshape their trunk tip according to the properties of their food. Methods To determine the influence of food sizes and shapes on the form of the trunk tip, we investigated the morphology of the distal part of the trunk during grasping movements. The influence of food item form on trunk tip shape was quantified in six female African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana). Three food item types were presented to the elephants (elongated, flat, and cubic), as well as three different sizes of cubic items. A total of 107 ± 10 grips per individual were video recorded, and the related trunk tip shapes were recorded with a 2D geometric morphometric approach. Results Half of the individuals adjusted the shape of the distal part of their trunk according to the object type. Of the three elephants that did not preshape their trunk tip, one was blind and another was subadult. Discussion and perspectives We found that elephants preshaped their trunk tip, similar to the preshaping of other species’ hands or paws during reach-to-grasp movements. This preshaping may be influenced by visual feedback and individual learning. To confirm these results, this study could be replicated with a larger sample of elephants.
bibliographic citation: Soppelsa et al. (2022) The relationship between distal trunk morphology and object grasping in the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana). PeerJ 10:e13108 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13108
date submitted: 2021-10-08
date accepted: 2022-02-22
issued: 2022-03-28
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Soppelsa
  given name: Julie
author list: Agent
  family name: Pouydebat
  given name: Emmanuelle
author list: Agent
  family name: Lefeuvre
  given name: Maëlle
author list: Agent
  family name: Mulot
  given name: Baptiste
author list: Agent
  family name: Houssin
  given name: Céline
author list: Agent
  family name: Cornette
  given name: Raphaël
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13108
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-28
copyright: ©2022 Soppelsa et al.
attribution name: Soppelsa et al.

The association between sedentary behavior and low back pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal problem globally. While spending a longer time in sedentary behaviors is linked to several health problems; the quantitative association between different amounts of sedentary time and LBP is still unknown. This study aims to systematically review studies that examined the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis retrieved journal articles published from inception to March 2020 and were obtained by searching bibliographical databases. We included longitudinal study designs, including adult (aged ≥18) individuals with nonspecific LBP, and reporting estimates of the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes (i.e., pain intensity and disability). Results Sixteen longitudinal studies with 100,002 participants were included in this review (eight studies included in quantitative syntheses with 83,111 participants). The results of meta-analyses showed that a sedentary time of 3–<6 (Odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% CI [0.85–1.07]), 6–8 (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.88–1.02]), and >8 (OR 0.92, 95% CI [0.85–1.00]) hours per day (h/d) was not associated with LBP development. A sedentary time of ≥3 h/d was associated with poor LBP-related disability (OR 1.24, 95% CI [1.02–1.51]), but not with pain intensity. Conclusion A meta-analyses of longitudinal studies indicated that sedentary behavior of different durations was not associated with LBP development. However, the results showed that sedentary behavior ≥3 h/d was associated with worse LBP-related disability. These conclusions are tentative as the evidence was derived from mostly fair-quality studies using subjective measures of sedentary behavior. Systematic review registration PROSPERO (registration number CRD42018107078).
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format: text/html
creator: Hosam Alzahrani
creator: Mansour Abdullah Alshehri
creator: Msaad Alzhrani
creator: Yasir S. Alshehri
creator: Wesam Saleh A. Al Attar
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Global Health
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13127
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Alzahrani et al.
abstract: Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal problem globally. While spending a longer time in sedentary behaviors is linked to several health problems; the quantitative association between different amounts of sedentary time and LBP is still unknown. This study aims to systematically review studies that examined the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis retrieved journal articles published from inception to March 2020 and were obtained by searching bibliographical databases. We included longitudinal study designs, including adult (aged ≥18) individuals with nonspecific LBP, and reporting estimates of the association between sedentary behavior and LBP development and LBP-related outcomes (i.e., pain intensity and disability). Results Sixteen longitudinal studies with 100,002 participants were included in this review (eight studies included in quantitative syntheses with 83,111 participants). The results of meta-analyses showed that a sedentary time of 3–<6 (Odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% CI [0.85–1.07]), 6–8 (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.88–1.02]), and >8 (OR 0.92, 95% CI [0.85–1.00]) hours per day (h/d) was not associated with LBP development. A sedentary time of ≥3 h/d was associated with poor LBP-related disability (OR 1.24, 95% CI [1.02–1.51]), but not with pain intensity. Conclusion A meta-analyses of longitudinal studies indicated that sedentary behavior of different durations was not associated with LBP development. However, the results showed that sedentary behavior ≥3 h/d was associated with worse LBP-related disability. These conclusions are tentative as the evidence was derived from mostly fair-quality studies using subjective measures of sedentary behavior. Systematic review registration PROSPERO (registration number CRD42018107078).
bibliographic citation: Alzahrani et al. (2022) The association between sedentary behavior and low back pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. PeerJ 10:e13127 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13127
date submitted: 2021-09-06
date accepted: 2022-02-25
issued: 2022-03-28
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alzahrani
  given name: Hosam
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshehri
  given name: Mansour Abdullah
author list: Agent
  family name: Alzhrani
  given name: Msaad
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshehri
  given name: Yasir S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Al Attar
  given name: Wesam Saleh A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13127
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-28
copyright: © 2022 Alzahrani et al.
attribution name: Alzahrani et al.

Polymorphism in a Neotropical toad species: ontogenetic, populational and geographic approaches to chromatic variation in Proceratophrys cristiceps (Müller, 1883) (Amphibia, Anura, Odontophrynidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Quantifying variability is important for understanding how evolution operates in polymorphic species such as those of the genus Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920, which is widely distributed in South America. P. cristiceps distribution is limited to the Caatinga biome in Brazil. We examined its chromatic variation from a populational perspective, looking at different phenetic polymorphism levels and probable chromotypic association by applying statistical and GIS tools that could facilitate future taxonomic research regarding this and other species. We characterized P. cristiceps colour patterns and re-evaluated its geographic variation, highlighting potential consequences for the taxonomy of the genus. Our results revealed six principle chromotypes whose frequencies varied among sex and ontogenetic classes. Phenotypic expression appeared to respect defined proportions and evidenced selective value for the species. We conclude that individual variation, together with typological traditionalism may overestimate the polymorphic magnitude at the population level and cause taxonomic inflation. Our data support the usefulness of P. cristiceps as a model for microevolutionary studies.
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creator: Kleber Silva Vieira
creator: Erivanna Karlene Santos Oliveira
creator: Washington Luiz Silva Vieira
creator: Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12879
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Vieira et al.
abstract: Quantifying variability is important for understanding how evolution operates in polymorphic species such as those of the genus Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920, which is widely distributed in South America. P. cristiceps distribution is limited to the Caatinga biome in Brazil. We examined its chromatic variation from a populational perspective, looking at different phenetic polymorphism levels and probable chromotypic association by applying statistical and GIS tools that could facilitate future taxonomic research regarding this and other species. We characterized P. cristiceps colour patterns and re-evaluated its geographic variation, highlighting potential consequences for the taxonomy of the genus. Our results revealed six principle chromotypes whose frequencies varied among sex and ontogenetic classes. Phenotypic expression appeared to respect defined proportions and evidenced selective value for the species. We conclude that individual variation, together with typological traditionalism may overestimate the polymorphic magnitude at the population level and cause taxonomic inflation. Our data support the usefulness of P. cristiceps as a model for microevolutionary studies.
bibliographic citation: Vieira et al. (2022) Polymorphism in a Neotropical toad species: ontogenetic, populational and geographic approaches to chromatic variation in Proceratophrys cristiceps (Müller, 1883) (Amphibia, Anura, Odontophrynidae). PeerJ 10:e12879 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12879
date submitted: 2021-10-26
date accepted: 2022-01-12
issued: 2022-03-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vieira
  given name: Kleber Silva
author list: Agent
  family name: Santos Oliveira
  given name: Erivanna Karlene
author list: Agent
  family name: Vieira
  given name: Washington Luiz Silva
author list: Agent
  family name: Alves
  given name: Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12879
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-25
copyright: © 2022 Vieira et al.
attribution name: Vieira et al.

Research progress of aldehyde oxidases in plants
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Plant aldehyde oxidases (AOs) are multi-functional enzymes, and they could oxidize abscisic aldehyde into ABA (abscisic acid) or indole acetaldehyde into IAA (indoleacetic acid) as the last step, respectively. AOs can be divided into four groups based on their biochemical and physiological functions. In this review, we summarized the recent studies about AOs in plants including the motif information, biochemical, and physiological functions. Besides their role in phytohormones biosynthesis and stress response, AOs could also involve in reactive oxygen species homeostasis, aldehyde detoxification and stress tolerance.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jun Wu
creator: Blair Moses Kamanga
creator: Wenying Zhang
creator: Yanhao Xu
creator: Le Xu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13119
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Wu et al.
abstract: Plant aldehyde oxidases (AOs) are multi-functional enzymes, and they could oxidize abscisic aldehyde into ABA (abscisic acid) or indole acetaldehyde into IAA (indoleacetic acid) as the last step, respectively. AOs can be divided into four groups based on their biochemical and physiological functions. In this review, we summarized the recent studies about AOs in plants including the motif information, biochemical, and physiological functions. Besides their role in phytohormones biosynthesis and stress response, AOs could also involve in reactive oxygen species homeostasis, aldehyde detoxification and stress tolerance.
bibliographic citation: Wu et al. (2022) Research progress of aldehyde oxidases in plants. PeerJ 10:e13119 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13119
date submitted: 2021-12-21
date accepted: 2022-02-23
issued: 2022-03-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Kamanga
  given name: Blair Moses
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Wenying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yanhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Le
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13119
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-25
copyright: © 2022 Wu et al.
attribution name: Wu et al.

Are Toxoplasma-infected subjects more attractive, symmetrical, or healthier than non-infected ones? Evidence from subjective and objective measurements
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Parasites are among the main factors that negatively impact the health and reproductive success of organisms. However, if parasites diminish a host’s health and attractiveness to such an extent that finding a mate becomes almost impossible, the parasite would decrease its odds of reproducing and passing to the next generation. There is evidence that Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) manipulates phenotypic characteristics of its intermediate hosts to increase its spread. However, whether T. gondii manipulates phenotypic characteristics in humans remains poorly studied. Therefore, the present research had two main aims: (1) To compare traits associated with health and parasite resistance in Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects. (2) To investigate whether other people perceive differences in attractiveness and health between Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects of both sexes. Methods For the first aim, Toxoplasma-infected (n = 35) and non-infected subjects (n = 178) were compared for self-perceived attractiveness, number of sexual partners, number of minor ailments, body mass index, mate value, handgrip strength, facial fluctuating asymmetry, and facial width-to-height ratio. For the second aim, an independent group of 205 raters (59 men and 146 women) evaluated the attractiveness and perceived health of facial pictures of Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects. Results First, we found that infected men had lower facial fluctuating asymmetry whereas infected women had lower body mass, lower body mass index, a tendency for lower facial fluctuating asymmetry, higher self-perceived attractiveness, and a higher number of sexual partners than non-infected ones. Then, we found that infected men and women were rated as more attractive and healthier than non-infected ones. Conclusions Our results suggest that some sexually transmitted parasites, such as T. gondii, may produce changes in the appearance and behavior of the human host, either as a …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Javier I. Borráz-León
creator: Markus J. Rantala
creator: Indrikis A. Krams
creator: Ana Lilia Cerda-Molina
creator: Jorge Contreras-Garduño
subject: Anthropology
subject: Ecology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Parasitology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13122
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Borráz-León et al.
abstract: Background Parasites are among the main factors that negatively impact the health and reproductive success of organisms. However, if parasites diminish a host’s health and attractiveness to such an extent that finding a mate becomes almost impossible, the parasite would decrease its odds of reproducing and passing to the next generation. There is evidence that Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) manipulates phenotypic characteristics of its intermediate hosts to increase its spread. However, whether T. gondii manipulates phenotypic characteristics in humans remains poorly studied. Therefore, the present research had two main aims: (1) To compare traits associated with health and parasite resistance in Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects. (2) To investigate whether other people perceive differences in attractiveness and health between Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects of both sexes. Methods For the first aim, Toxoplasma-infected (n = 35) and non-infected subjects (n = 178) were compared for self-perceived attractiveness, number of sexual partners, number of minor ailments, body mass index, mate value, handgrip strength, facial fluctuating asymmetry, and facial width-to-height ratio. For the second aim, an independent group of 205 raters (59 men and 146 women) evaluated the attractiveness and perceived health of facial pictures of Toxoplasma-infected and non-infected subjects. Results First, we found that infected men had lower facial fluctuating asymmetry whereas infected women had lower body mass, lower body mass index, a tendency for lower facial fluctuating asymmetry, higher self-perceived attractiveness, and a higher number of sexual partners than non-infected ones. Then, we found that infected men and women were rated as more attractive and healthier than non-infected ones. Conclusions Our results suggest that some sexually transmitted parasites, such as T. gondii, may produce changes in the appearance and behavior of the human host, either as a …
bibliographic citation: Borráz-León et al. (2022) Are Toxoplasma-infected subjects more attractive, symmetrical, or healthier than non-infected ones? Evidence from subjective and objective measurements. PeerJ 10:e13122 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13122
date submitted: 2021-10-21
date accepted: 2022-02-24
issued: 2022-03-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Borráz-León
  given name: Javier I.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rantala
  given name: Markus J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Krams
  given name: Indrikis A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cerda-Molina
  given name: Ana Lilia
author list: Agent
  family name: Contreras-Garduño
  given name: Jorge
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13122
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-25
copyright: © 2022 Borráz-León et al.
attribution name: Borráz-León et al.

Knowing the gap: medication use, adherence and blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for global disease burden, however, little is known regarding the profiles of patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings. Objective This study aimed to profile medication use, adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications as well as blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary health centres (PHCs). Methods A cross-sectional study design used a structured data collection tool (questionnaire and checklist). Patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of hypertension, and prescribed an antihypertensive medication, and attending follow-up visits in the five PHCs in Surabaya, Indonesia, during a two-week study period (May–October 2019) were included. Descriptive analyses summarised the data, while binary logistic regression provided any independent associations between adherence profiles and blood pressure control. Results Of 457 eligible patients, 276 patients consented: PHC A (n = 50/91), PHC B (n = 65/116), PHC C (n = 47/61), PHC D (n = 60/88), PHC E (n = 54/101), giving an overall response rate of 60.4%. Patients were mainly treated with a single antihypertensive medication, i.e., amlodipine (89.1%), and many had not achieved blood pressure targets (68.1%). A majority reported notable levels of non-adherence to medication (low/intermediate, 65.2%) and poor healthy lifestyle behaviours, particularly physical activity (inadequate, 87.7%) and discretionary salt use (regularly, 50.4%). Significant associations were found between low medication adherence, discretionary salt use and smoking, with blood pressure control. Conclusions The study findings provide the evidence needed to improve the current level of sub-optimal blood pressure management among patients with hypertension in these Indonesian primary care settings. Particular emphasis should be placed on antihypertensive medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours through locally tailored hypertension-re…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Adji Prayitno Setiadi
creator: Anita Febriandini
creator: Eltia Trinanda
creator: Wiweka Aryaguna
creator: Irene Mutho’atin Chusna
creator: Yulia Nurlaili
creator: Bruce Sunderland
creator: Yosi Irawati Wibowo
subject: Cardiology
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13171
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Setiadi et al.
abstract: Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for global disease burden, however, little is known regarding the profiles of patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings. Objective This study aimed to profile medication use, adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications as well as blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary health centres (PHCs). Methods A cross-sectional study design used a structured data collection tool (questionnaire and checklist). Patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of hypertension, and prescribed an antihypertensive medication, and attending follow-up visits in the five PHCs in Surabaya, Indonesia, during a two-week study period (May–October 2019) were included. Descriptive analyses summarised the data, while binary logistic regression provided any independent associations between adherence profiles and blood pressure control. Results Of 457 eligible patients, 276 patients consented: PHC A (n = 50/91), PHC B (n = 65/116), PHC C (n = 47/61), PHC D (n = 60/88), PHC E (n = 54/101), giving an overall response rate of 60.4%. Patients were mainly treated with a single antihypertensive medication, i.e., amlodipine (89.1%), and many had not achieved blood pressure targets (68.1%). A majority reported notable levels of non-adherence to medication (low/intermediate, 65.2%) and poor healthy lifestyle behaviours, particularly physical activity (inadequate, 87.7%) and discretionary salt use (regularly, 50.4%). Significant associations were found between low medication adherence, discretionary salt use and smoking, with blood pressure control. Conclusions The study findings provide the evidence needed to improve the current level of sub-optimal blood pressure management among patients with hypertension in these Indonesian primary care settings. Particular emphasis should be placed on antihypertensive medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours through locally tailored hypertension-re…
bibliographic citation: Setiadi et al. (2022) Knowing the gap: medication use, adherence and blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian primary care settings. PeerJ 10:e13171 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13171
date submitted: 2021-10-25
date accepted: 2022-03-04
issued: 2022-03-25
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Setiadi
  given name: Adji Prayitno
author list: Agent
  family name: Febriandini
  given name: Anita
author list: Agent
  family name: Trinanda
  given name: Eltia
author list: Agent
  family name: Aryaguna
  given name: Wiweka
author list: Agent
  family name: Chusna
  given name: Irene Mutho’atin
author list: Agent
  family name: Nurlaili
  given name: Yulia
author list: Agent
  family name: Sunderland
  given name: Bruce
author list: Agent
  family name: Wibowo
  given name: Yosi Irawati
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13171
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-03-25
copyright: ©2022 Setiadi et al.
attribution name: Setiadi et al.

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