PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: The relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability in adults: the moderating role of dots number
items: Interpopulational differences in the nutritional condition of Aequiyoldia eightsii (Protobranchia: Nuculanidae) from the Western Antarctic Peninsula during austral summer
items: Sequence characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of H9N2 subtype avian influenza A viruses detected from poultry and the environment in China, 2018
items: Understanding the transmission dynamics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 super-shedding infections in feedlot cattle
items: A novel machine learning derived RNA-binding protein gene–based score system predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
items: Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by targeting the Sigma-1 receptor disrupts cytoarchitecture and beating
items: Ability to detect antibodies to beak and feather disease virus in blood on filter paper decreases with duration of storage
items: Utility of olfactory identification test for screening of cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older adults
items: Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt during outdoor fitness equipment use and their associations with kinanthropometry proportions in middle-aged and older adults
items: Multiple comparisons of precipitation variations in different areas using simultaneous confidence intervals for all possible ratios of variances of several zero-inflated lognormal models

The relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability in adults: the moderating role of dots number
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background It has been proposed that numerosity perception is the cognitive underpinning of mathematics ability. However, the existence of the association between numerosity perception and mathematics ability is still under debate, especially in adults. The present study examined the relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability and the moderating role of dots number (i.e., the numerosity of items in dot set) in adults. Methods Sixty-four adult participants from Anshun University completed behavioral measures that tested numerosity perception of small numbers and large numbers, mathematics ability, inhibition ability, visual-spatial memory, and set-switching ability. Results We found that numerosity perception of small numbers correlated significantly with mathematics ability after controlling the influence of inhibition ability, visual-spatial memory, and set-switching ability, but numerosity perception of large numbers was not related to mathematics ability in adults. Conclusions These findings suggest that the dots number moderates the relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability in adults and may contribute to explaining the contradictory findings in the previous literature about the link between numerosity perception and mathematics ability.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ji Sun
creator: Pei Sun
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12660
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Sun and Sun
abstract: Background It has been proposed that numerosity perception is the cognitive underpinning of mathematics ability. However, the existence of the association between numerosity perception and mathematics ability is still under debate, especially in adults. The present study examined the relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability and the moderating role of dots number (i.e., the numerosity of items in dot set) in adults. Methods Sixty-four adult participants from Anshun University completed behavioral measures that tested numerosity perception of small numbers and large numbers, mathematics ability, inhibition ability, visual-spatial memory, and set-switching ability. Results We found that numerosity perception of small numbers correlated significantly with mathematics ability after controlling the influence of inhibition ability, visual-spatial memory, and set-switching ability, but numerosity perception of large numbers was not related to mathematics ability in adults. Conclusions These findings suggest that the dots number moderates the relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability in adults and may contribute to explaining the contradictory findings in the previous literature about the link between numerosity perception and mathematics ability.
bibliographic citation: Sun et al. (2021) The relationship between numerosity perception and mathematics ability in adults: the moderating role of dots number. PeerJ 9:e12660 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12660
date submitted: 2021-09-22
date accepted: 2021-11-30
issued: 2021-12-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Ji
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Pei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12660
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-21
copyright: ©2021 Sun and Sun
attribution name: Sun and Sun

Interpopulational differences in the nutritional condition of Aequiyoldia eightsii (Protobranchia: Nuculanidae) from the Western Antarctic Peninsula during austral summer
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hotspot for environmental change and has a strong environmental gradient from North to South. Here, for the first time we used adult individuals of the bivalve Aequiyoldia eightsii to evaluate large-scale spatial variation in the biochemical composition (measured as lipid, protein and fatty acids) and energy content, as a proxy for nutritional condition, of three populations along the WAP: O’Higgins Research Station in the north (63.3°S), Yelcho Research Station in mid-WAP (64.9°S) and Rothera Research Station further south (67.6°S). The results reveal significantly higher quantities of lipids (L), proteins (P), energy (E) and total fatty acids (FA) in the northern population (O’Higgins) (L: 8.33 ± 1.32%; P: 22.34 ± 3.16%; E: 171.53 ± 17.70 Joules; FA: 16.33 ± 0.98 mg g) than in the mid-WAP population (Yelcho) (L: 6.23 ± 0.84%; P: 18.63 ± 1.17%; E: 136.67 ± 7.08 Joules; FA: 10.93 ± 0.63 mg g) and southern population (Rothera) (L: 4.60 ± 0.51%; P: 13.11 ± 0.98%; E: 98.37 ± 5.67 Joules; FA: 7.58 ± 0.48 mg g). We hypothesize these differences in the nutritional condition could be related to a number of biological and environmental characteristics. Our results can be interpreted as a consequence of differences in phenology at each location; differences in somatic and gametogenic growth rhythms. Contrasting environmental conditions throughout the WAP such as seawater temperature, quantity and quality of food from both planktonic and sediment sources, likely have an effect on the metabolism and nutritional intake of this species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Miguel Bascur
creator: Simon A. Morley
creator: Michael P. Meredith
creator: Carlos P. Muñoz-Ramírez
creator: David K. A. Barnes
creator: Irene R. Schloss
creator: Chester J. Sands
creator: Oscar Schofield
creator: Alejandro Román-Gonzaléz
creator: Leyla Cárdenas
creator: Hugh Venables
creator: Antonio Brante
creator: Ángel Urzúa
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12679
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Bascur et al.
abstract: The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hotspot for environmental change and has a strong environmental gradient from North to South. Here, for the first time we used adult individuals of the bivalve Aequiyoldia eightsii to evaluate large-scale spatial variation in the biochemical composition (measured as lipid, protein and fatty acids) and energy content, as a proxy for nutritional condition, of three populations along the WAP: O’Higgins Research Station in the north (63.3°S), Yelcho Research Station in mid-WAP (64.9°S) and Rothera Research Station further south (67.6°S). The results reveal significantly higher quantities of lipids (L), proteins (P), energy (E) and total fatty acids (FA) in the northern population (O’Higgins) (L: 8.33 ± 1.32%; P: 22.34 ± 3.16%; E: 171.53 ± 17.70 Joules; FA: 16.33 ± 0.98 mg g) than in the mid-WAP population (Yelcho) (L: 6.23 ± 0.84%; P: 18.63 ± 1.17%; E: 136.67 ± 7.08 Joules; FA: 10.93 ± 0.63 mg g) and southern population (Rothera) (L: 4.60 ± 0.51%; P: 13.11 ± 0.98%; E: 98.37 ± 5.67 Joules; FA: 7.58 ± 0.48 mg g). We hypothesize these differences in the nutritional condition could be related to a number of biological and environmental characteristics. Our results can be interpreted as a consequence of differences in phenology at each location; differences in somatic and gametogenic growth rhythms. Contrasting environmental conditions throughout the WAP such as seawater temperature, quantity and quality of food from both planktonic and sediment sources, likely have an effect on the metabolism and nutritional intake of this species.
bibliographic citation: Bascur et al. (2021) Interpopulational differences in the nutritional condition of Aequiyoldia eightsii (Protobranchia: Nuculanidae) from the Western Antarctic Peninsula during austral summer. PeerJ 9:e12679 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12679
date submitted: 2021-08-20
date accepted: 2021-12-02
issued: 2021-12-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bascur
  given name: Miguel
author list: Agent
  family name: Morley
  given name: Simon A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Meredith
  given name: Michael P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Muñoz-Ramírez
  given name: Carlos P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Barnes
  given name: David K. A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Schloss
  given name: Irene R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sands
  given name: Chester J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Schofield
  given name: Oscar
author list: Agent
  family name: Román-Gonzaléz
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Cárdenas
  given name: Leyla
author list: Agent
  family name: Venables
  given name: Hugh
author list: Agent
  family name: Brante
  given name: Antonio
author list: Agent
  family name: Urzúa
  given name: Ángel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12679
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-21
copyright: © 2021 Bascur et al.
attribution name: Bascur et al.

Sequence characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of H9N2 subtype avian influenza A viruses detected from poultry and the environment in China, 2018
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: H9N2 subtype avian influenza A virus (AIV) is a causative agent that poses serious threats to both the poultry industry and global public health. In this study, we performed active surveillance to identify H9N2 AIVs from poultry (chicken, duck, and goose) and the environment of different regions in China, and we phylogenetically characterized the sequences. AIV subtype-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that 5.43% (83/1529) samples were AIV positive, and 87.02% (67/77) of which were H9N2 AIVs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all H9N2 field viruses belonged to the Y280-like lineage, exhibiting 93.9–100% and 94.6–100% of homology in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene and 94.4–100% and 96.3–100% in the neuraminidase (NA) gene, at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels, respectively. All field viruses shared relatively lower identities with vaccine strains, ranging from 89.4% to 97.7%. The aa sequence at the cleavage site (aa 333–340) in HA of all the isolated H9N2 AIVs was PSRSSRG/L, which is a characteristic of low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV). Notably, all the H9N2 field viruses harbored eight glycosylation sites, whereas a glycosylation site 218 NRT was missing and a new site 313 NCS was inserted. All field viruses had NGLMR as their receptor binding sites (RBS) at aa position 224–229, showing high conservation with many recently-isolated H9N2 strains. All H9N2 field isolates at position 226 had the aa Leucine (L), indicating their ability to bind to sialic acid (SA) α, a 2–6 receptor of mammals that poses the potential risk of transmission to humans. Our results suggest that H9N2 AIVs circulating in poultry populations that have genetic variation and the potential of infecting mammalian species are of great significance when monitoring H9N2 AIVs in China.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiaoyi Gao
creator: Naidi Wang
creator: Yuhong Chen
creator: Xiaoxue Gu
creator: Yuanhui Huang
creator: Yang Liu
creator: Fei Jiang
creator: Jie Bai
creator: Lu Qi
creator: Shengpeng Xin
creator: Yuxiang Shi
creator: Chuanbin Wang
creator: Yuliang Liu
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Virology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12512
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Gao et al.
abstract: H9N2 subtype avian influenza A virus (AIV) is a causative agent that poses serious threats to both the poultry industry and global public health. In this study, we performed active surveillance to identify H9N2 AIVs from poultry (chicken, duck, and goose) and the environment of different regions in China, and we phylogenetically characterized the sequences. AIV subtype-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that 5.43% (83/1529) samples were AIV positive, and 87.02% (67/77) of which were H9N2 AIVs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all H9N2 field viruses belonged to the Y280-like lineage, exhibiting 93.9–100% and 94.6–100% of homology in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene and 94.4–100% and 96.3–100% in the neuraminidase (NA) gene, at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels, respectively. All field viruses shared relatively lower identities with vaccine strains, ranging from 89.4% to 97.7%. The aa sequence at the cleavage site (aa 333–340) in HA of all the isolated H9N2 AIVs was PSRSSRG/L, which is a characteristic of low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV). Notably, all the H9N2 field viruses harbored eight glycosylation sites, whereas a glycosylation site 218 NRT was missing and a new site 313 NCS was inserted. All field viruses had NGLMR as their receptor binding sites (RBS) at aa position 224–229, showing high conservation with many recently-isolated H9N2 strains. All H9N2 field isolates at position 226 had the aa Leucine (L), indicating their ability to bind to sialic acid (SA) α, a 2–6 receptor of mammals that poses the potential risk of transmission to humans. Our results suggest that H9N2 AIVs circulating in poultry populations that have genetic variation and the potential of infecting mammalian species are of great significance when monitoring H9N2 AIVs in China.
bibliographic citation: Gao et al. (2021) Sequence characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of H9N2 subtype avian influenza A viruses detected from poultry and the environment in China, 2018. PeerJ 9:e12512 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12512
date submitted: 2021-01-14
date accepted: 2021-10-27
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Xiaoyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Naidi
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yuhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Gu
  given name: Xiaoxue
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Yuanhui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Bai
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Qi
  given name: Lu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xin
  given name: Shengpeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Yuxiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Chuanbin
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yuliang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12512
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: ©2021 Gao et al.
attribution name: Gao et al.

Understanding the transmission dynamics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 super-shedding infections in feedlot cattle
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) super-shedding cattle in feedlots has the potential to increase the overall number (bio-burden) of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment. It is important to identify factors to reduce the bio-burden of E. coli O157 in feedlots by clarifying practices associated with the occurrence of super-shedders in feedlot cattle. Methods The objective of this study is to (1) identify host, pathogen, and management risk factors associated with naturally infected feedlot cattle excreting high concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 in their feces and (2) to determine whether the ingested dose or the specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 influences a super-shedder infection within experimentally inoculated feedlot cattle. To address this, (1) pen floor fecal samples and herd parameters were collected from four feedlots over a 9-month period, then (2) 6 strains of E. coli O157:H7, 3 strains isolated from normal shedder steers and 3 strains isolated from super-shedder steers, were inoculated into 30 one-year-old feedlot steers. Five steers were assigned to each E. coli O157:H7 strain group and inoculated with targeted numbers of 102, 104, 106, 108, and 1010 CFU of bacteria respectively. Results In the feedlots, prevalence of infection with E. coli O157:H7 for the 890 fecal samples collected was 22.4%, with individual pen prevalence ranging from 0% to 90% and individual feedlot prevalence ranging from 8.4% to 30.2%. Three samples had E. coli O157:H7 levels greater than 104 MPN/g feces, thereby meeting the definition of super-shedder. Lower body weight at entry to the feedlot and higher daily maximum ambient temperature were associated with increased odds of a sample testing positive for E. coli O157:H7. In the experimental inoculation trial, the duration and total environmental shedding load of E. coli O157:H7 suggests that the time post-inoculation and the dose of inoculated E. coli O157:H7 are important while the E. coli O157…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Elizabeth M. Antaki-Zukoski
creator: Xunde Li
creator: Bruce Hoar
creator: John M. Adaska
creator: Barbara A. Byrne
creator: Edward R. Atwill
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Food Science and Technology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12524
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Antaki-Zukoski et al.
abstract: Background The presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) super-shedding cattle in feedlots has the potential to increase the overall number (bio-burden) of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment. It is important to identify factors to reduce the bio-burden of E. coli O157 in feedlots by clarifying practices associated with the occurrence of super-shedders in feedlot cattle. Methods The objective of this study is to (1) identify host, pathogen, and management risk factors associated with naturally infected feedlot cattle excreting high concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 in their feces and (2) to determine whether the ingested dose or the specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 influences a super-shedder infection within experimentally inoculated feedlot cattle. To address this, (1) pen floor fecal samples and herd parameters were collected from four feedlots over a 9-month period, then (2) 6 strains of E. coli O157:H7, 3 strains isolated from normal shedder steers and 3 strains isolated from super-shedder steers, were inoculated into 30 one-year-old feedlot steers. Five steers were assigned to each E. coli O157:H7 strain group and inoculated with targeted numbers of 102, 104, 106, 108, and 1010 CFU of bacteria respectively. Results In the feedlots, prevalence of infection with E. coli O157:H7 for the 890 fecal samples collected was 22.4%, with individual pen prevalence ranging from 0% to 90% and individual feedlot prevalence ranging from 8.4% to 30.2%. Three samples had E. coli O157:H7 levels greater than 104 MPN/g feces, thereby meeting the definition of super-shedder. Lower body weight at entry to the feedlot and higher daily maximum ambient temperature were associated with increased odds of a sample testing positive for E. coli O157:H7. In the experimental inoculation trial, the duration and total environmental shedding load of E. coli O157:H7 suggests that the time post-inoculation and the dose of inoculated E. coli O157:H7 are important while the E. coli O157…
bibliographic citation: Antaki-Zukoski et al. (2021) Understanding the transmission dynamics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 super-shedding infections in feedlot cattle. PeerJ 9:e12524 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12524
date submitted: 2020-02-04
date accepted: 2021-10-29
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Antaki-Zukoski
  given name: Elizabeth M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xunde
author list: Agent
  family name: Hoar
  given name: Bruce
author list: Agent
  family name: Adaska
  given name: John M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Byrne
  given name: Barbara A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Atwill
  given name: Edward R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12524
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: © 2021 Antaki-Zukoski et al.
attribution name: Antaki-Zukoski et al.

A novel machine learning derived RNA-binding protein gene–based score system predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Although the expression of RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies and is associated with tumor progression, there has been no overview study with multiple cohorts and large samples. The HCC-associated RBP genes need to be more accurately identified, and their clinical application value needs to be further explored. Methods First, we used the robust rank aggregation (RRA) algorithm to extract HCC-associated RBP genes from nine HCC microarray datasets and verified them in The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) cohort and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) Japanese liver cancer (ICGC-LIRI-JP) cohort. In addition, the copy number variation (CNV), single-nucleotide variant (SNV), and promoter-region methylation data of HCC-associated RBP genes were analyzed. Using the random forest algorithm, we constructed an RBP gene–based prognostic score system (RBP-score). We then evaluated the ability of RBP-score to predict the prognosis of patients. The relationships between RBP-score and other clinical characteristics of patients were analyzed. Results The RRA algorithm identified 30 RBP mRNAs with consistent expression patterns across the nine HCC microarray datasets. These 30 RBP genes were defined as HCC-associated RBP genes. Their mRNA expression patterns were further verified in the TCGA-LIHC and ICGC-LIRI-JP cohorts. Among these 30 RBP genes, some showed significant copy number gain or loss, while others showed differences in the methylation levels of their promoter regions. Some RBP genes were risk factors or protective factors for the prognosis of patients. We extracted 10 key HCC-associated RBP genes using the random forest algorithm and constructed an RBP-score system. RBP-score effectively predicted the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients and was associated with the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, α-fetoprotein (AFP), and metastasis risk. The clin…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Qiangnu Zhang
creator: Yusen Zhang
creator: Yusheng Guo
creator: Honggui Tang
creator: Mingyue Li
creator: Liping Liu
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Oncology
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12572
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Zhang et al.
abstract: Background Although the expression of RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies and is associated with tumor progression, there has been no overview study with multiple cohorts and large samples. The HCC-associated RBP genes need to be more accurately identified, and their clinical application value needs to be further explored. Methods First, we used the robust rank aggregation (RRA) algorithm to extract HCC-associated RBP genes from nine HCC microarray datasets and verified them in The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) cohort and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) Japanese liver cancer (ICGC-LIRI-JP) cohort. In addition, the copy number variation (CNV), single-nucleotide variant (SNV), and promoter-region methylation data of HCC-associated RBP genes were analyzed. Using the random forest algorithm, we constructed an RBP gene–based prognostic score system (RBP-score). We then evaluated the ability of RBP-score to predict the prognosis of patients. The relationships between RBP-score and other clinical characteristics of patients were analyzed. Results The RRA algorithm identified 30 RBP mRNAs with consistent expression patterns across the nine HCC microarray datasets. These 30 RBP genes were defined as HCC-associated RBP genes. Their mRNA expression patterns were further verified in the TCGA-LIHC and ICGC-LIRI-JP cohorts. Among these 30 RBP genes, some showed significant copy number gain or loss, while others showed differences in the methylation levels of their promoter regions. Some RBP genes were risk factors or protective factors for the prognosis of patients. We extracted 10 key HCC-associated RBP genes using the random forest algorithm and constructed an RBP-score system. RBP-score effectively predicted the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients and was associated with the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, α-fetoprotein (AFP), and metastasis risk. The clin…
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2021) A novel machine learning derived RNA-binding protein gene–based score system predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. PeerJ 9:e12572 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12572
date submitted: 2021-09-28
date accepted: 2021-11-09
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Qiangnu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yusen
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Yusheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Honggui
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Mingyue
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Liping
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12572
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: © 2021 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by targeting the Sigma-1 receptor disrupts cytoarchitecture and beating
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: SARS-CoV-2 infects cardiac cells and causes heart dysfunction. Conditions such as myocarditis and arrhythmia have been reported in COVID-19 patients. The Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a ubiquitously expressed chaperone that plays a central role in cardiomyocyte function. S1R has been proposed as a therapeutic target because it may affect SARS-CoV-2 replication; however, the impact of the inhibition of S1R in human cardiomyocytes remains to be described. In this study, we investigated the consequences of S1R inhibition in iPSC-derived human cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM). SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-CM was productive and reduced cell survival. S1R inhibition decreased both the number of infected cells and viral particles after 48 hours. S1R inhibition also prevented the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell death. Although the S1R antagonist NE-100 triggered those protective effects, it compromised cytoskeleton integrity by downregulating the expression of structural-related genes and reducing beating frequency. Our findings suggest that the detrimental effects of S1R inhibition in human cardiomyocytes’ integrity may abrogate its therapeutic potential against COVID and should be carefully considered.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: José Alexandre Salerno
creator: Thayana Torquato
creator: Jairo R. Temerozo
creator: Livia Goto-Silva
creator: Karina Karmirian
creator: Mayara A. Mendes
creator: Carolina Q. Sacramento
creator: Natalia Fintelman-Rodrigues
creator: Letícia R Q. Souza
creator: Isis M. Ornelas
creator: Carla P. Veríssimo
creator: Luiz Guilherme H S. Aragão
creator: Gabriela Vitória
creator: Carolina S G. Pedrosa
creator: Suelen da Silva Gomes Dias
creator: Vinicius Cardoso Soares
creator: Teresa Puig-Pijuan
creator: Vinícius Salazar
creator: Rafael Dariolli
creator: Diogo Biagi
creator: Daniel R. Furtado
creator: Luciana Barreto Chiarini
creator: Helena L. Borges
creator: Patrícia T. Bozza
creator: Marilia Zaluar P. Guimarães
creator: Thiago M.L. Souza
creator: Stevens K. Rehen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12595
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Salerno et al.
abstract: SARS-CoV-2 infects cardiac cells and causes heart dysfunction. Conditions such as myocarditis and arrhythmia have been reported in COVID-19 patients. The Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a ubiquitously expressed chaperone that plays a central role in cardiomyocyte function. S1R has been proposed as a therapeutic target because it may affect SARS-CoV-2 replication; however, the impact of the inhibition of S1R in human cardiomyocytes remains to be described. In this study, we investigated the consequences of S1R inhibition in iPSC-derived human cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM). SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-CM was productive and reduced cell survival. S1R inhibition decreased both the number of infected cells and viral particles after 48 hours. S1R inhibition also prevented the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell death. Although the S1R antagonist NE-100 triggered those protective effects, it compromised cytoskeleton integrity by downregulating the expression of structural-related genes and reducing beating frequency. Our findings suggest that the detrimental effects of S1R inhibition in human cardiomyocytes’ integrity may abrogate its therapeutic potential against COVID and should be carefully considered.
bibliographic citation: Salerno et al. (2021) Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by targeting the Sigma-1 receptor disrupts cytoarchitecture and beating. PeerJ 9:e12595 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12595
date submitted: 2021-09-30
date accepted: 2021-11-14
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Salerno
  given name: José Alexandre
author list: Agent
  family name: Torquato
  given name: Thayana
author list: Agent
  family name: Temerozo
  given name: Jairo R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Goto-Silva
  given name: Livia
author list: Agent
  family name: Karmirian
  given name: Karina
author list: Agent
  family name: Mendes
  given name: Mayara A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sacramento
  given name: Carolina Q.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fintelman-Rodrigues
  given name: Natalia
author list: Agent
  family name: Souza
  given name: Letícia R Q.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ornelas
  given name: Isis M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Veríssimo
  given name: Carla P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aragão
  given name: Luiz Guilherme H S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vitória
  given name: Gabriela
author list: Agent
  family name: Pedrosa
  given name: Carolina S G.
author list: Agent
  family name: da Silva Gomes Dias
  given name: Suelen
author list: Agent
  family name: Cardoso Soares
  given name: Vinicius
author list: Agent
  family name: Puig-Pijuan
  given name: Teresa
author list: Agent
  family name: Salazar
  given name: Vinícius
author list: Agent
  family name: Dariolli
  given name: Rafael
author list: Agent
  family name: Biagi
  given name: Diogo
author list: Agent
  family name: Furtado
  given name: Daniel R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Barreto Chiarini
  given name: Luciana
author list: Agent
  family name: Borges
  given name: Helena L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bozza
  given name: Patrícia T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Zaluar P. Guimarães
  given name: Marilia
author list: Agent
  family name: Souza
  given name: Thiago M.L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rehen
  given name: Stevens K.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12595
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: ©2021 Salerno et al.
attribution name: Salerno et al.

Ability to detect antibodies to beak and feather disease virus in blood on filter paper decreases with duration of storage
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is a circovirus that infects captive and wild psittacine birds, and is of conservation concern. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay is used to determine antibody titres against BFDV, and the use of dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper stored at room temperature has been suggested to be an equally valid technique to the use of frozen serum. However, research on other pathogens has found variable results when investigating the longevity of antibodies stored on DBS at room temperature. Consequently, we aimed to test the temporal stability of antibodies to BFDV in DBS samples stored long-term at room temperature. A further goal was to add to the current knowledge of antibody response to naturally acquired BFDV infection in crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans). Methods Blood was collected from wild P. elegans in Victoria, Australia, that had been live-trapped (n = 9) or necropsied (n = 11). BFDV virus load data were obtained from blood stored in ethanol by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR); antibody titres were obtained by HI assay from either DBS or serum samples, which had been collected concurrently. All HI assays were performed commercially by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in Charles Sturt University, Australia, who were blind to BFDV blood status. Results HI titres from DBS stored at room temperature declined significantly over time (~80 weeks). By contrast, frozen serum samples assayed after 80 weeks in storage all had high HI titres, only varying up to one dilution step from the initial HI titres obtained from DBS at 3–6 weeks after sampling. Weak HI titres from DBS samples all came back negative when the test was repeated only nine weeks later. Novel high HI titres were reported in P. elegans, and while most birds with high antibody titres had corresponding negative qPCR results, a single subadult presented with high HI titres and virus load simultaneously. Conclusion Detection of antibodi…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Berta Blanch-Lázaro
creator: Raoul F.H. Ribot
creator: Mathew L. Berg
creator: Soren Alexandersen
creator: Andrew T.D. Bennett
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Virology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12642
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Blanch-Lázaro et al.
abstract: Background Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is a circovirus that infects captive and wild psittacine birds, and is of conservation concern. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay is used to determine antibody titres against BFDV, and the use of dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper stored at room temperature has been suggested to be an equally valid technique to the use of frozen serum. However, research on other pathogens has found variable results when investigating the longevity of antibodies stored on DBS at room temperature. Consequently, we aimed to test the temporal stability of antibodies to BFDV in DBS samples stored long-term at room temperature. A further goal was to add to the current knowledge of antibody response to naturally acquired BFDV infection in crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans). Methods Blood was collected from wild P. elegans in Victoria, Australia, that had been live-trapped (n = 9) or necropsied (n = 11). BFDV virus load data were obtained from blood stored in ethanol by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR); antibody titres were obtained by HI assay from either DBS or serum samples, which had been collected concurrently. All HI assays were performed commercially by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in Charles Sturt University, Australia, who were blind to BFDV blood status. Results HI titres from DBS stored at room temperature declined significantly over time (~80 weeks). By contrast, frozen serum samples assayed after 80 weeks in storage all had high HI titres, only varying up to one dilution step from the initial HI titres obtained from DBS at 3–6 weeks after sampling. Weak HI titres from DBS samples all came back negative when the test was repeated only nine weeks later. Novel high HI titres were reported in P. elegans, and while most birds with high antibody titres had corresponding negative qPCR results, a single subadult presented with high HI titres and virus load simultaneously. Conclusion Detection of antibodi…
bibliographic citation: Blanch-Lázaro et al. (2021) Ability to detect antibodies to beak and feather disease virus in blood on filter paper decreases with duration of storage. PeerJ 9:e12642 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12642
date submitted: 2021-07-08
date accepted: 2021-11-24
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Blanch-Lázaro
  given name: Berta
author list: Agent
  family name: Ribot
  given name: Raoul F.H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Berg
  given name: Mathew L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alexandersen
  given name: Soren
author list: Agent
  family name: Bennett
  given name: Andrew T.D.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12642
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: © 2021 Blanch-Lázaro et al.
attribution name: Blanch-Lázaro et al.

Utility of olfactory identification test for screening of cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background There is a need for a large-scale screening test that can be used to detect dementia in older individuals at an early stage. Olfactory identification deficits have been shown to occur in the early stages of dementia, indicating their usefulness in screening tests. This study investigated the utility of an olfactory identification test as a screening test for mild cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people. Methods The subjects were city-dwelling individuals aged over 65 years but under 85 years who had not been diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The Japanese version of the Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen was used to evaluate cognitive function. Based on the results, the subjects were divided into two groups: healthy group and cognitively impaired group. Olfactory identification abilities based on the Japanese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test were compared between the groups. Results There were 182 participants in total: 77 in the healthy group and 105 in the cognitively impaired group. The mean olfactory identification test score of the cognitively impaired group was significantly lower than that of the healthy group. The cognitive impairment test score was significantly correlated with the olfactory identification test score. Conclusions Cross-sectional olfactory identification deficits at baseline in community-dwelling older adults reflected cognitive dysfunction. Assessing olfactory identification ability might be useful as a screening test for mild cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Satoshi Nogi
creator: Kentaro Uchida
creator: Jumpei Maruta
creator: Hideo Kurozumi
creator: Satoshi Akada
creator: Masatsugu Shiba
creator: Koki Inoue
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12656
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Nogi et al.
abstract: Background There is a need for a large-scale screening test that can be used to detect dementia in older individuals at an early stage. Olfactory identification deficits have been shown to occur in the early stages of dementia, indicating their usefulness in screening tests. This study investigated the utility of an olfactory identification test as a screening test for mild cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people. Methods The subjects were city-dwelling individuals aged over 65 years but under 85 years who had not been diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The Japanese version of the Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen was used to evaluate cognitive function. Based on the results, the subjects were divided into two groups: healthy group and cognitively impaired group. Olfactory identification abilities based on the Japanese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test were compared between the groups. Results There were 182 participants in total: 77 in the healthy group and 105 in the cognitively impaired group. The mean olfactory identification test score of the cognitively impaired group was significantly lower than that of the healthy group. The cognitive impairment test score was significantly correlated with the olfactory identification test score. Conclusions Cross-sectional olfactory identification deficits at baseline in community-dwelling older adults reflected cognitive dysfunction. Assessing olfactory identification ability might be useful as a screening test for mild cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people.
bibliographic citation: Nogi et al. (2021) Utility of olfactory identification test for screening of cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older adults. PeerJ 9:e12656 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12656
date submitted: 2021-07-19
date accepted: 2021-11-29
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Nogi
  given name: Satoshi
author list: Agent
  family name: Uchida
  given name: Kentaro
author list: Agent
  family name: Maruta
  given name: Jumpei
author list: Agent
  family name: Kurozumi
  given name: Hideo
author list: Agent
  family name: Akada
  given name: Satoshi
author list: Agent
  family name: Shiba
  given name: Masatsugu
author list: Agent
  family name: Inoue
  given name: Koki
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12656
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: © 2021 Nogi et al.
attribution name: Nogi et al.

Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt during outdoor fitness equipment use and their associations with kinanthropometry proportions in middle-aged and older adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Outdoor fitness training has become popular as a tool for improving the health, especially middle-aged and older adults. For this purpose, outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) have been installed in public areas. However, their safety and effectiveness are still unknown. The aim of the present research was to analyze the sagittal disposition of the spine and pelvic tilt during the use of OFE, and to determine the influence of anthropometric variables on these factors in middle-aged and older adults. Methods Seventy healthy volunteers, 56 women and 14 men (age: 63.14 ± 8.19 years) participated in the study. Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt were measured using a Spinal Mouse®, in the relaxed standing position, and during the use of the OFE. In addition, kinanthropometry variables were also measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Results Regarding thoracic kyphosis, a significant decrease was found in thoracic kyphosis in the initial position (IP) in single bonny rider (SBR) (p = 0.006) and row (p = 0.046), and a significant increase in the final position (FP) in the row (p = 0.011), surfboard (p < 0.001) and air walker (p = 0.027) machines. In relation to the lumbar curvature and pelvic tilt, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis and a decrease in pelvic anteversion were observed in the IP and FP in SBR and row; and in the bike (p < 0.001) machine. In the surfboard machine, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis was found (p = 0.002), with no changes in pelvic tilt. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the subjects with a higher cormic index and height were more at risk of increasing their thoracic kyphosis, decreasing lumbar lordosis and/or decreasing pelvic anteversion towards pelvic retroversion. Conclusions Middle-aged and older adults show spinal misalignments when using the OFE with respect to the standing position, showing a decrease in the thoracic kyphos…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tomás Abelleira-Lamela
creator: Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
creator: Noelia González-Gálvez
creator: Francisco Esparza-Ros
creator: Alejandro Espeso-García
creator: Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Biomechanics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12657
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Abelleira-Lamela et al.
abstract: Background Outdoor fitness training has become popular as a tool for improving the health, especially middle-aged and older adults. For this purpose, outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) have been installed in public areas. However, their safety and effectiveness are still unknown. The aim of the present research was to analyze the sagittal disposition of the spine and pelvic tilt during the use of OFE, and to determine the influence of anthropometric variables on these factors in middle-aged and older adults. Methods Seventy healthy volunteers, 56 women and 14 men (age: 63.14 ± 8.19 years) participated in the study. Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt were measured using a Spinal Mouse®, in the relaxed standing position, and during the use of the OFE. In addition, kinanthropometry variables were also measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Results Regarding thoracic kyphosis, a significant decrease was found in thoracic kyphosis in the initial position (IP) in single bonny rider (SBR) (p = 0.006) and row (p = 0.046), and a significant increase in the final position (FP) in the row (p = 0.011), surfboard (p < 0.001) and air walker (p = 0.027) machines. In relation to the lumbar curvature and pelvic tilt, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis and a decrease in pelvic anteversion were observed in the IP and FP in SBR and row; and in the bike (p < 0.001) machine. In the surfboard machine, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis was found (p = 0.002), with no changes in pelvic tilt. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the subjects with a higher cormic index and height were more at risk of increasing their thoracic kyphosis, decreasing lumbar lordosis and/or decreasing pelvic anteversion towards pelvic retroversion. Conclusions Middle-aged and older adults show spinal misalignments when using the OFE with respect to the standing position, showing a decrease in the thoracic kyphos…
bibliographic citation: Abelleira-Lamela et al. (2021) Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt during outdoor fitness equipment use and their associations with kinanthropometry proportions in middle-aged and older adults. PeerJ 9:e12657 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12657
date submitted: 2021-09-02
date accepted: 2021-11-29
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Abelleira-Lamela
  given name: Tomás
author list: Agent
  family name: Vaquero-Cristóbal
  given name: Raquel
author list: Agent
  family name: González-Gálvez
  given name: Noelia
author list: Agent
  family name: Esparza-Ros
  given name: Francisco
author list: Agent
  family name: Espeso-García
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Marcos-Pardo
  given name: Pablo Jorge
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12657
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: ©2021 Abelleira-Lamela et al.
attribution name: Abelleira-Lamela et al.

Multiple comparisons of precipitation variations in different areas using simultaneous confidence intervals for all possible ratios of variances of several zero-inflated lognormal models
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Flash flooding and landslides regularly cause injury, death, and homelessness in Thailand. An advancedwarning system is necessary for predicting natural disasters, and analyzing the variability of daily precipitation might be usable in this regard. Moreover, analyzing the differences in precipitation data among multiple weather stations could be used to predict variations in meteorological conditions throughout the country. Since precipitation data in Thailand follow a zero-inflated lognormal (ZILN) distribution, multiple comparisons of precipitation variation in different areas can be addressed by using simultaneous confidence intervals (SCIs) for all possible pairwise ratios of variances of several ZILN models. Herein, we formulate SCIs using Bayesian, generalized pivotal quantity (GPQ), and parametric bootstrap (PB) approaches. The results of a simulation study provide insight into the performances of the SCIs. Those based on PB and the Bayesian approach via probability matching with the beta prior performed well in situations with a large amount of zero-inflated data with a large variance. Besides, the Bayesian based on the reference-beta prior and GPQ SCIs can be considered as alternative approaches for small-to-large and medium-to-large sample sizes from large population, respectively. These approaches were applied to estimate the precipitation variability among weather stations in lower southern Thailand to illustrate their efficacies.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Patcharee Maneerat
creator: Sa-Aat Niwitpong
subject: Statistics
subject: Computational Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12659
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Maneerat and Niwitpong
abstract: Flash flooding and landslides regularly cause injury, death, and homelessness in Thailand. An advancedwarning system is necessary for predicting natural disasters, and analyzing the variability of daily precipitation might be usable in this regard. Moreover, analyzing the differences in precipitation data among multiple weather stations could be used to predict variations in meteorological conditions throughout the country. Since precipitation data in Thailand follow a zero-inflated lognormal (ZILN) distribution, multiple comparisons of precipitation variation in different areas can be addressed by using simultaneous confidence intervals (SCIs) for all possible pairwise ratios of variances of several ZILN models. Herein, we formulate SCIs using Bayesian, generalized pivotal quantity (GPQ), and parametric bootstrap (PB) approaches. The results of a simulation study provide insight into the performances of the SCIs. Those based on PB and the Bayesian approach via probability matching with the beta prior performed well in situations with a large amount of zero-inflated data with a large variance. Besides, the Bayesian based on the reference-beta prior and GPQ SCIs can be considered as alternative approaches for small-to-large and medium-to-large sample sizes from large population, respectively. These approaches were applied to estimate the precipitation variability among weather stations in lower southern Thailand to illustrate their efficacies.
bibliographic citation: Maneerat et al. (2021) Multiple comparisons of precipitation variations in different areas using simultaneous confidence intervals for all possible ratios of variances of several zero-inflated lognormal models. PeerJ 9:e12659 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12659
date submitted: 2021-10-07
date accepted: 2021-11-30
issued: 2021-12-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Maneerat
  given name: Patcharee
author list: Agent
  family name: Niwitpong
  given name: Sa-Aat
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12659
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-20
copyright: ©2021 Maneerat and Niwitpong
attribution name: Maneerat and Niwitpong

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