PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Early detection of cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticide pollution based on locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae
items: Differential expression profiles of microRNAs in musk gland of unmated and mated forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
items: Electroencephalogram-derived pain index for evaluating pain during labor
items: Phenotypic differentiation of the slow worm lizards (Squamata: Anguis) across their contact zone in Central Europe
items: Interoceptive awareness and beliefs about health and the body as predictors of the intensity of emotions experienced at the beginning of the pandemic
items: Rise, and pronounced regional variation, in methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine distribution in the United States
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

Early detection of cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticide pollution based on locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticides are highly toxic substances widely used in agriculture and industry. These toxicants are neuro- and organotoxic to mammals at low concentrations, thus early detection of these chemicals in the aqueous environment is of utmost importance. Here, we employed the behavioral toxicity test with wildtype zebrafish larvae to determine sublethal concentrations of the above mentioned common environmental pollutants. After optimizing the test with cyanide, nine rodenticides and an organophosphate were successfully tested. The compounds dose-dependently initially (0–60-min exposure) stimulated locomotor activity of larvae but induced toxicity and reduced swimming during 60–120-min exposure. IC50 values calculated based on swimming distance after 2-h exposure, were between 0.1 and 10 mg/L for both first-generation and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Three behavioral characteristics, including total distance travelled, sinuosity and burst count, were quantitatively analyzed and compared by hierarchical clustering of the effects measured by each three parameters. The toxicity results for all three behavioral endpoints were consistent, suggesting that the directly measured parameter of cumulative swimming distance could be used as a promising biomarker for the aquatic contamination. The optimized method herein showed the potential for utilization as part of a monitoring system and an ideal tool for the risk assessment of drinking water in the military and public safety.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Binjie Wang
creator: Junhao Zhu
creator: Anli Wang
creator: Jiye Wang
creator: Yuanzhao Wu
creator: Weixuan Yao
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Toxicology
subject: Ecotoxicology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12703
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Wang et al.
abstract: Cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticides are highly toxic substances widely used in agriculture and industry. These toxicants are neuro- and organotoxic to mammals at low concentrations, thus early detection of these chemicals in the aqueous environment is of utmost importance. Here, we employed the behavioral toxicity test with wildtype zebrafish larvae to determine sublethal concentrations of the above mentioned common environmental pollutants. After optimizing the test with cyanide, nine rodenticides and an organophosphate were successfully tested. The compounds dose-dependently initially (0–60-min exposure) stimulated locomotor activity of larvae but induced toxicity and reduced swimming during 60–120-min exposure. IC50 values calculated based on swimming distance after 2-h exposure, were between 0.1 and 10 mg/L for both first-generation and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Three behavioral characteristics, including total distance travelled, sinuosity and burst count, were quantitatively analyzed and compared by hierarchical clustering of the effects measured by each three parameters. The toxicity results for all three behavioral endpoints were consistent, suggesting that the directly measured parameter of cumulative swimming distance could be used as a promising biomarker for the aquatic contamination. The optimized method herein showed the potential for utilization as part of a monitoring system and an ideal tool for the risk assessment of drinking water in the military and public safety.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2021) Early detection of cyanide, organophosphate and rodenticide pollution based on locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae. PeerJ 9:e12703 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12703
date submitted: 2021-09-28
date accepted: 2021-12-07
issued: 2021-12-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Binjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Junhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Anli
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jiye
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Yuanzhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Yao
  given name: Weixuan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12703
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-22
copyright: ©2021 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Differential expression profiles of microRNAs in musk gland of unmated and mated forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The formation of musk is a complex biophysical and biochemical process that change with the rut of male forest musk deer. We have reported that the mating status of male forest musk deer might result to the variations of chemical composition and microbiota of musk and its yields. Critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) of multi-tissues were profiled in our previous study; however, the role for miRNAs of the musk gland remains unclear in this species. Methods In this study, we used Illumina deep sequencing technology to sequence the small RNA transcriptome of unmated male (UM) and mated male (UM) of Chinese forest musk deer. Results We identified 1,652 known miRNAs and 45 novel miRNAs, of which there were 174 differentially expressed miRNAs between UM and MM. chi-miR-21-5p, ipu-miR-99b and bta-miR-26a were up-regulated in UM among the 10 most differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional enrichment of the target genes showed that monosaccharide biosynthetic process, protein targeting, cellular protein catabolic process enriched higher in MM. Meanwhile, structural molecule activity, secretion by cell, regulated exocytosis and circulatory system process enriched more in UM, hinting that the formation of musk in UM was mediated by target genes related to exocytosis. The miRNA-mRNA pairs such as miR-21: CHD7, miR143: HSD17B7, miR-141/200a: Noc2 might involve in musk gland development and musk secretion, which need to be verified in future study.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hang Jie
creator: Zhongxian Xu
creator: Jian Gao
creator: Feng Li
creator: Yinglian Chen
creator: Dejun Zeng
creator: Guijun Zhao
creator: Diyan Li
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12710
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Jie et al.
abstract: Background The formation of musk is a complex biophysical and biochemical process that change with the rut of male forest musk deer. We have reported that the mating status of male forest musk deer might result to the variations of chemical composition and microbiota of musk and its yields. Critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) of multi-tissues were profiled in our previous study; however, the role for miRNAs of the musk gland remains unclear in this species. Methods In this study, we used Illumina deep sequencing technology to sequence the small RNA transcriptome of unmated male (UM) and mated male (UM) of Chinese forest musk deer. Results We identified 1,652 known miRNAs and 45 novel miRNAs, of which there were 174 differentially expressed miRNAs between UM and MM. chi-miR-21-5p, ipu-miR-99b and bta-miR-26a were up-regulated in UM among the 10 most differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional enrichment of the target genes showed that monosaccharide biosynthetic process, protein targeting, cellular protein catabolic process enriched higher in MM. Meanwhile, structural molecule activity, secretion by cell, regulated exocytosis and circulatory system process enriched more in UM, hinting that the formation of musk in UM was mediated by target genes related to exocytosis. The miRNA-mRNA pairs such as miR-21: CHD7, miR143: HSD17B7, miR-141/200a: Noc2 might involve in musk gland development and musk secretion, which need to be verified in future study.
bibliographic citation: Jie et al. (2021) Differential expression profiles of microRNAs in musk gland of unmated and mated forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii). PeerJ 9:e12710 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12710
date submitted: 2021-07-27
date accepted: 2021-12-08
issued: 2021-12-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Jie
  given name: Hang
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Zhongxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Feng
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yinglian
author list: Agent
  family name: Zeng
  given name: Dejun
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Guijun
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Diyan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12710
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-22
copyright: ©2021 Jie et al.
attribution name: Jie et al.

Electroencephalogram-derived pain index for evaluating pain during labor
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The discriminative ability of a point-of-care electroencephalogram (EEG)-derived pain index (Pi) for objectively assessing pain has been validated in chronic pain patients. The current study aimed to determine its feasibility in assessing labor pain in an obstetric setting. Methods Parturients were enrolled from the delivery room at the department of obstetrics in a tertiary hospital between February and June of 2018. Pi values and relevant numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were collected at different stages of labor in the presence or absence of epidural analgesia. The correlation between Pi values and NRS scores was analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to estimate the discriminative capability of Pi to detect labor pain in parturients. Results Eighty paturients were eligible for inclusion. The Pearson correlation analysis exhibited a positive correlation between Pi values and NRS scores in parturients (r = 0.768, P < 0.001). The ROC analysis revealed a cut-off Pi value of 18.37 to discriminate between mild and moderate-to-severe labor pain in parturients. Further analysis indicated that Pi values had the best diagnostic accuracy reflected by the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.857, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.767 and 0.833, respectively, and a Youden index of 0.6. Subgroup analyses further substantiated the correlations between Pi values and NRS scores, especially in parturients with higher pain intensity. Conclusion This study indicates that Pi values derived from EEGs significantly correlate with the NRS scores, and can serve as a way to quantitatively and objectively evaluate labor pain in parturients.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Liang Sun
creator: Hong Zhang
creator: Qiaoyu Han
creator: Yi Feng
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12714
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Sun et al.
abstract: Background The discriminative ability of a point-of-care electroencephalogram (EEG)-derived pain index (Pi) for objectively assessing pain has been validated in chronic pain patients. The current study aimed to determine its feasibility in assessing labor pain in an obstetric setting. Methods Parturients were enrolled from the delivery room at the department of obstetrics in a tertiary hospital between February and June of 2018. Pi values and relevant numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were collected at different stages of labor in the presence or absence of epidural analgesia. The correlation between Pi values and NRS scores was analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to estimate the discriminative capability of Pi to detect labor pain in parturients. Results Eighty paturients were eligible for inclusion. The Pearson correlation analysis exhibited a positive correlation between Pi values and NRS scores in parturients (r = 0.768, P < 0.001). The ROC analysis revealed a cut-off Pi value of 18.37 to discriminate between mild and moderate-to-severe labor pain in parturients. Further analysis indicated that Pi values had the best diagnostic accuracy reflected by the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.857, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.767 and 0.833, respectively, and a Youden index of 0.6. Subgroup analyses further substantiated the correlations between Pi values and NRS scores, especially in parturients with higher pain intensity. Conclusion This study indicates that Pi values derived from EEGs significantly correlate with the NRS scores, and can serve as a way to quantitatively and objectively evaluate labor pain in parturients.
bibliographic citation: Sun et al. (2021) Electroencephalogram-derived pain index for evaluating pain during labor. PeerJ 9:e12714 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12714
date submitted: 2021-08-24
date accepted: 2021-12-09
issued: 2021-12-22
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Liang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Hong
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Qiaoyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Yi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12714
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-22
copyright: ©2021 Sun et al.
attribution name: Sun et al.

Phenotypic differentiation of the slow worm lizards (Squamata: Anguis) across their contact zone in Central Europe
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The application of molecular-phylogenetic approaches to taxonomy has had a dramatic effect on our understanding of the diversity of reptiles. These approaches have allowed researchers to reveal previously hidden lineages as well as taxonomic overestimation in morphologically plastic taxa. Slow worms, legless lizards of the genus Anguis (Squamata: Anguidae), were previously considered to comprise either one or two species, and morphology-based intraspecific taxonomy of Anguis fragilis remained controversial throughout the 20th century. After the discovery of deep genetic divergences within the genus, its taxonomy was reconsidered, and as a result, five extant species have been recognized. In order to better understand the patterns of their interspecific differentiation, here we studied phenotypic differences between the two most widespread of them—A. fragilis and A. colchica, and their putative hybrids across the contact zone of both species in Central Europe. Methods We used multivariate and univariate statistics and analyzed ten metric, eleven meristic, and six categorical phenotypic variables in material comprising a total of 326 individuals. We also genotyped individuals from the contact zone for one mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA fragments in order to delineate the distribution of individuals of hybrid and non-hybrid origin. The clines in morphological traits were studied using HZAR. Results We show that the two species are morphologically differentiated. Anguis fragilis has a less robust head, fewer scales covering the body, lower frequency of the external ear opening presence, lower frequency of separated prefrontal scales, higher frequency of prefrontal scales in contact with each other, and body coloration more similar to the juvenile coloration than A. colchica. Slow worms from the contact/hybrid zone are characterized by an intermediate morphology, with more similarities to A. fragilis than to A. colchica. Discussion None of the analyzed char…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Norbert Benkovský
creator: Jiří Moravec
creator: Veronika Gvoždíková Javůrková
creator: Helena Šifrová
creator: Václav Gvoždík
creator: David Jandzik
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12482
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Benkovský et al.
abstract: Background The application of molecular-phylogenetic approaches to taxonomy has had a dramatic effect on our understanding of the diversity of reptiles. These approaches have allowed researchers to reveal previously hidden lineages as well as taxonomic overestimation in morphologically plastic taxa. Slow worms, legless lizards of the genus Anguis (Squamata: Anguidae), were previously considered to comprise either one or two species, and morphology-based intraspecific taxonomy of Anguis fragilis remained controversial throughout the 20th century. After the discovery of deep genetic divergences within the genus, its taxonomy was reconsidered, and as a result, five extant species have been recognized. In order to better understand the patterns of their interspecific differentiation, here we studied phenotypic differences between the two most widespread of them—A. fragilis and A. colchica, and their putative hybrids across the contact zone of both species in Central Europe. Methods We used multivariate and univariate statistics and analyzed ten metric, eleven meristic, and six categorical phenotypic variables in material comprising a total of 326 individuals. We also genotyped individuals from the contact zone for one mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA fragments in order to delineate the distribution of individuals of hybrid and non-hybrid origin. The clines in morphological traits were studied using HZAR. Results We show that the two species are morphologically differentiated. Anguis fragilis has a less robust head, fewer scales covering the body, lower frequency of the external ear opening presence, lower frequency of separated prefrontal scales, higher frequency of prefrontal scales in contact with each other, and body coloration more similar to the juvenile coloration than A. colchica. Slow worms from the contact/hybrid zone are characterized by an intermediate morphology, with more similarities to A. fragilis than to A. colchica. Discussion None of the analyzed char…
bibliographic citation: Benkovský et al. (2021) Phenotypic differentiation of the slow worm lizards (Squamata: Anguis) across their contact zone in Central Europe. PeerJ 9:e12482 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12482
date submitted: 2021-03-01
date accepted: 2021-10-21
issued: 2021-12-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Benkovský
  given name: Norbert
author list: Agent
  family name: Moravec
  given name: Jiří
author list: Agent
  family name: Gvoždíková Javůrková
  given name: Veronika
author list: Agent
  family name: Šifrová
  given name: Helena
author list: Agent
  family name: Gvoždík
  given name: Václav
author list: Agent
  family name: Jandzik
  given name: David
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12482
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-21
copyright: ©2021 Benkovský et al.
attribution name: Benkovský et al.

Interoceptive awareness and beliefs about health and the body as predictors of the intensity of emotions experienced at the beginning of the pandemic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a type of stressful event which might have an impact on psychological state. A prolonged threat of getting a serious, contagious illness is expected to be associated with an increase of negative emotions and, conversely, with a decrease of positive emotions. As the stressor is strongly linked to health and the body, we decided to investigate what types of factors related to body perception and appraisal are associated with different types of reported emotions. The purpose of the study was to verify the associations between three types of variables: interoceptive awareness as described by Mehling and colleagues (2012a, 2018), negative beliefs about health and body, and different types of emotions. Methodology A Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire was applied to evaluate interoceptive awareness. The declared emotional state was diagnosed with a list of 20 emotions–divided by valence and origin. Additionally, a list of 10 negative beliefs about health and body was used. The study was held in a correlational schema with 299 subjects recruited via the social media platform Facebook who took part in an online survey. Results The study revealed that the scales of Self-Regulation and Trusting are primarily associated with negative automatic and reflective emotions and positive automatic emotions. Furthermore, the Self-Regulation, Trusting dimensions of interoceptive awareness predict an intensity of emotions categorised on the basis of valence and origin. In addition, negative beliefs about health and the body provided an adequate explanation of the variance of most of the types of emotions experienced during the pandemic. Conclusions Factors related to body perception, such as interoceptive awareness and negative beliefs about health and body provide a significant contribution to explaining emotional state at the beginning of the pandemic.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Aleksandra Modzelewska
creator: Kamil K. Imbir
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Science and Medical Education
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12542
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Modzelewska and Imbir
abstract: Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a type of stressful event which might have an impact on psychological state. A prolonged threat of getting a serious, contagious illness is expected to be associated with an increase of negative emotions and, conversely, with a decrease of positive emotions. As the stressor is strongly linked to health and the body, we decided to investigate what types of factors related to body perception and appraisal are associated with different types of reported emotions. The purpose of the study was to verify the associations between three types of variables: interoceptive awareness as described by Mehling and colleagues (2012a, 2018), negative beliefs about health and body, and different types of emotions. Methodology A Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire was applied to evaluate interoceptive awareness. The declared emotional state was diagnosed with a list of 20 emotions–divided by valence and origin. Additionally, a list of 10 negative beliefs about health and body was used. The study was held in a correlational schema with 299 subjects recruited via the social media platform Facebook who took part in an online survey. Results The study revealed that the scales of Self-Regulation and Trusting are primarily associated with negative automatic and reflective emotions and positive automatic emotions. Furthermore, the Self-Regulation, Trusting dimensions of interoceptive awareness predict an intensity of emotions categorised on the basis of valence and origin. In addition, negative beliefs about health and the body provided an adequate explanation of the variance of most of the types of emotions experienced during the pandemic. Conclusions Factors related to body perception, such as interoceptive awareness and negative beliefs about health and body provide a significant contribution to explaining emotional state at the beginning of the pandemic.
bibliographic citation: Modzelewska et al. (2021) Interoceptive awareness and beliefs about health and the body as predictors of the intensity of emotions experienced at the beginning of the pandemic. PeerJ 9:e12542 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12542
date submitted: 2020-12-30
date accepted: 2021-11-04
issued: 2021-12-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Modzelewska
  given name: Aleksandra
author list: Agent
  family name: Imbir
  given name: Kamil K.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12542
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-21
copyright: © 2021 Modzelewska and Imbir
attribution name: Modzelewska and Imbir

Rise, and pronounced regional variation, in methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine distribution in the United States
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The prescription stimulants methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine are sympathomimetic drugs with therapeutic use. They are designated in the United States as Schedule II substances, defined by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act as having a “high potential for abuse”. Changing criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 2013 and the approval of lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder in 2015 may have impacted usage patterns. This report compared the pharmacoepidemiology of these stimulants in the United States from 2010–2017. Methods Distribution of amphetamine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine were examined via weights extracted from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System (ARCOS). Median stimulant Daily Dosage per patient was determined for a regional analysis. The percent of cost and prescriptions attributable to each stimulant and atomoxetine in Medicaid from the “Drug Utilization 2018 - National Total” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid was determined. Results There was a rise in amphetamine (+67.5%) and lisdexamfetamine (+76.7%) from 2010–2017. The change in methylphenidate (−3.0%) was modest. Persons/day stimulant usage was lower in the West than in other US regions from 2014-2017. There was a negative correlation (r(48) = −0.43 to −0.65, p < .05) between the percent Hispanic population per state and the Daily Dosage/population per stimulant. Methylphenidate formulations accounted for over half (51.7%) of the $3.8 billion reimbursed by Medicaid and the plurality (45.4%) of the 22.0 million prescriptions. Amphetamine was responsible for less than one-fifth (18.4%) of cost but one-third of prescriptions (33.6%). Lisdexamfetamine’s cost (26.0%) exceeded prescriptions (16.3%). Conclusion The rising amphetamine and lisdexamfetamine distribution may correspond with a rise in adult ADHD diagnoses. Regional analysis indicates that stimulant distribu…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sneha M. Vaddadi
creator: Nicholas J. Czelatka
creator: Belsy D. Gutierrez
creator: Bhumika C. Maddineni
creator: Kenneth L. McCall
creator: Brian J. Piper
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12619
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Vaddadi et al.
abstract: Background The prescription stimulants methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine are sympathomimetic drugs with therapeutic use. They are designated in the United States as Schedule II substances, defined by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act as having a “high potential for abuse”. Changing criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 2013 and the approval of lisdexamfetamine for binge eating disorder in 2015 may have impacted usage patterns. This report compared the pharmacoepidemiology of these stimulants in the United States from 2010–2017. Methods Distribution of amphetamine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine were examined via weights extracted from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System (ARCOS). Median stimulant Daily Dosage per patient was determined for a regional analysis. The percent of cost and prescriptions attributable to each stimulant and atomoxetine in Medicaid from the “Drug Utilization 2018 - National Total” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid was determined. Results There was a rise in amphetamine (+67.5%) and lisdexamfetamine (+76.7%) from 2010–2017. The change in methylphenidate (−3.0%) was modest. Persons/day stimulant usage was lower in the West than in other US regions from 2014-2017. There was a negative correlation (r(48) = −0.43 to −0.65, p < .05) between the percent Hispanic population per state and the Daily Dosage/population per stimulant. Methylphenidate formulations accounted for over half (51.7%) of the $3.8 billion reimbursed by Medicaid and the plurality (45.4%) of the 22.0 million prescriptions. Amphetamine was responsible for less than one-fifth (18.4%) of cost but one-third of prescriptions (33.6%). Lisdexamfetamine’s cost (26.0%) exceeded prescriptions (16.3%). Conclusion The rising amphetamine and lisdexamfetamine distribution may correspond with a rise in adult ADHD diagnoses. Regional analysis indicates that stimulant distribu…
bibliographic citation: Vaddadi et al. (2021) Rise, and pronounced regional variation, in methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine distribution in the United States. PeerJ 9:e12619 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12619
date submitted: 2020-10-07
date accepted: 2021-11-18
issued: 2021-12-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vaddadi
  given name: Sneha M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Czelatka
  given name: Nicholas J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gutierrez
  given name: Belsy D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Maddineni
  given name: Bhumika C.
author list: Agent
  family name: McCall
  given name: Kenneth L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Piper
  given name: Brian J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12619
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-12-21
copyright: ©2021 Vaddadi et al.
attribution name: Vaddadi et al.

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.

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