PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: The leukocyte telomere length, single nucleotide polymorphisms near TERC gene and risk of COPD
items: Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among adolescents in China during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak
items: Hypertension care cascade in the Ingwavuma rural community, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa
items: Adding pieces to the puzzle: insights into diversity and distribution patterns of Cumacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the deep North Atlantic to the Arctic Ocean
items: Temperature-induced changes in egg white antimicrobial concentrations during pre-incubation do not influence bacterial trans-shell penetration but do affect hatchling phenotype in Mallards
items: Habitat connectivity and resource selection in an expanding bobcat (Lynx rufus) population
items: Environmental changes in Yellow River Delta with terrace construction and agricultural cropping
items: Lower limb kinetic comparisons between the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play in table tennis
items: Current state of infection and prevalence of giardiasis in Malaysia: a review of 20 years of research
items: Transcriptome analysis and functional identification of GmMYB46 in soybean seedlings under salt stress

The leukocyte telomere length, single nucleotide polymorphisms near TERC gene and risk of COPD
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction and is associated with chronic local and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation have been reported to affect telomere length (TL). Furthermore, a number of SNPs at loci encoding the main components of the telomerase genes, TERT and TERC have been shown to correlate with TL. We aimed to explore the leukocyte TL and genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs12696304 (C > G) and rs10936599 (C > T) near TERC in COPD cases and matched healthy controls using q-PCR technologies. Successful assessment of TL was performed for 91 patients and 88 controls. The patients had shorter TL (17919.36 ± 1203.01 bp) compared to controls (21 271.48 ± 1891.36 bp) although not significant (p = 0.137). The TL did not associate with the gender, age, spirometric indexes, smoking habits but tended to correlate negatively with BMI (Rho = − 0.215, p = 0.076) in the controls, but not in COPD patients. The genotype frequencies of the SNPs rs12696304 and rs10936599 were compared between patients and controls and the odds ratios (OR) for developing COPD were calculated. The carriers of the common homozygous (CC) genotypes of the SNPs had higher risk for COPD, compared to carriers of the variants alleles (rs12696304 CG+GG vs. CC; OR: 0.615, 95% CI [0.424–0.894], p = 0.011 and for rs10936599 CT+TT vs. CC OR = 0.668, 95% CI [0.457–0.976], p = 0.044). Analysis on the combined effects of the TERC rs12696304 (C > G) and rs10936599 (C > T) genotypes, CC/CC genotype combination was associated with higher risk for COPD (p < 0.0001) and marginally lower FEV1% pr. in patients with GOLD II (p = 0.052). There was no association between the SNP genotypes and TL. In summary, our results suggest that COPD patients may have shorter TL, and rs12696304 and rs10936599 near TERC may affect the risk of COPD independently of TL.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tanya Tacheva
creator: Shanbeh Zienolddiny
creator: Dimo Dimov
creator: Denitsa Vlaykova
creator: Tatyana Vlaykova
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Respiratory Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12190
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Tacheva et al.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction and is associated with chronic local and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation have been reported to affect telomere length (TL). Furthermore, a number of SNPs at loci encoding the main components of the telomerase genes, TERT and TERC have been shown to correlate with TL. We aimed to explore the leukocyte TL and genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs12696304 (C > G) and rs10936599 (C > T) near TERC in COPD cases and matched healthy controls using q-PCR technologies. Successful assessment of TL was performed for 91 patients and 88 controls. The patients had shorter TL (17919.36 ± 1203.01 bp) compared to controls (21 271.48 ± 1891.36 bp) although not significant (p = 0.137). The TL did not associate with the gender, age, spirometric indexes, smoking habits but tended to correlate negatively with BMI (Rho = − 0.215, p = 0.076) in the controls, but not in COPD patients. The genotype frequencies of the SNPs rs12696304 and rs10936599 were compared between patients and controls and the odds ratios (OR) for developing COPD were calculated. The carriers of the common homozygous (CC) genotypes of the SNPs had higher risk for COPD, compared to carriers of the variants alleles (rs12696304 CG+GG vs. CC; OR: 0.615, 95% CI [0.424–0.894], p = 0.011 and for rs10936599 CT+TT vs. CC OR = 0.668, 95% CI [0.457–0.976], p = 0.044). Analysis on the combined effects of the TERC rs12696304 (C > G) and rs10936599 (C > T) genotypes, CC/CC genotype combination was associated with higher risk for COPD (p < 0.0001) and marginally lower FEV1% pr. in patients with GOLD II (p = 0.052). There was no association between the SNP genotypes and TL. In summary, our results suggest that COPD patients may have shorter TL, and rs12696304 and rs10936599 near TERC may affect the risk of COPD independently of TL.
bibliographic citation: Tacheva et al. (2021) The leukocyte telomere length, single nucleotide polymorphisms near TERC gene and risk of COPD. PeerJ 9:e12190 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12190
date submitted: 2021-02-19
date accepted: 2021-08-30
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tacheva
  given name: Tanya
author list: Agent
  family name: Zienolddiny
  given name: Shanbeh
author list: Agent
  family name: Dimov
  given name: Dimo
author list: Agent
  family name: Vlaykova
  given name: Denitsa
author list: Agent
  family name: Vlaykova
  given name: Tatyana
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12190
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: ©2021 Tacheva et al.
attribution name: Tacheva et al.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among adolescents in China during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID-19) had a detrimental impact on adolescents’ daily life and studying, which could increase the risk of depression. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) among Chinese adolescents and its associated factors. Methods An online survey was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Adolescents aged 11–20 years who currently lived in China were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected with the “SurveyStar” platform using the Snowball Sampling method. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results A total of 9,554 adolescents participated in the study. The prevalence of depression was 36.6% (95% CI [35.6%–37.6%]); the prevalence of mild and moderate-severe depression was 9.2% (95% CI [8.9%–9.5%]) and 27.4% (95% CI [26.9%–27.9%]), respectively. Female gender (OR = 1.235, P < 0.001), senior secondary school grade (OR = 1.513, P < 0.001), sleep duration of <6 h/day (OR = 2.455, P < 0.001), and living in Hubei province (total number of infected cases > 10,000) (OR = 1.245, P = 0.038) were significantly associated with higher risk of depression. Concern about COVID-19 (OR = 0.632, P < 0.001), participating in distance learning (OR = 0.728, P = 0.001), sleep duration of >8 h/day (OR = 0.726, P < 0.001), exercise of >30 min/day, and study duration of ≥4 h/day (OR = 0.835, P < 0.001) were associated with lower risk of depression. Conclusion Depression was common among adolescents in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the negative impact of depression on daily life and health outcomes, timely screening and appropriate interventions are urgently needed for depressed adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Han Qi
creator: Rui Liu
creator: Yuan Feng
creator: Jia Luo
creator: Si Man Lei
creator: Teris Cheung
creator: Gabor S. Ungvari
creator: Xu Chen
creator: Yu-Tao Xiang
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12223
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Qi et al.
abstract: Background The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID-19) had a detrimental impact on adolescents’ daily life and studying, which could increase the risk of depression. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) among Chinese adolescents and its associated factors. Methods An online survey was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Adolescents aged 11–20 years who currently lived in China were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected with the “SurveyStar” platform using the Snowball Sampling method. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results A total of 9,554 adolescents participated in the study. The prevalence of depression was 36.6% (95% CI [35.6%–37.6%]); the prevalence of mild and moderate-severe depression was 9.2% (95% CI [8.9%–9.5%]) and 27.4% (95% CI [26.9%–27.9%]), respectively. Female gender (OR = 1.235, P < 0.001), senior secondary school grade (OR = 1.513, P < 0.001), sleep duration of <6 h/day (OR = 2.455, P < 0.001), and living in Hubei province (total number of infected cases > 10,000) (OR = 1.245, P = 0.038) were significantly associated with higher risk of depression. Concern about COVID-19 (OR = 0.632, P < 0.001), participating in distance learning (OR = 0.728, P = 0.001), sleep duration of >8 h/day (OR = 0.726, P < 0.001), exercise of >30 min/day, and study duration of ≥4 h/day (OR = 0.835, P < 0.001) were associated with lower risk of depression. Conclusion Depression was common among adolescents in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the negative impact of depression on daily life and health outcomes, timely screening and appropriate interventions are urgently needed for depressed adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak.
bibliographic citation: Qi et al. (2021) Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among adolescents in China during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. PeerJ 9:e12223 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12223
date submitted: 2021-02-24
date accepted: 2021-09-07
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Qi
  given name: Han
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Rui
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Yuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Luo
  given name: Jia
author list: Agent
  family name: Lei
  given name: Si Man
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheung
  given name: Teris
author list: Agent
  family name: Ungvari
  given name: Gabor S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiang
  given name: Yu-Tao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12223
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: © 2021 Qi et al.
attribution name: Qi et al.

Hypertension care cascade in the Ingwavuma rural community, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Treatment and control of hypertension are associated with a substantial reduction in adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes. Although South Africa aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases, there is limited evidence on the hypertension care cascade (HCC) performance in rural areas where stroke and hypertension are high. This study estimated HCC performance and identified predictors of hypertension screening among adults in the Ingwavuma community of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire from 400 adult participants, excluding pregnant women and those with physical or cognitive impairments. Three hundred and ninety-three participants had complete data, and 131 had high blood pressure. We calculated progression rates for screening, diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension from the sub-sample of participants with high blood pressure and assessed the bivariate association between HCC stages and participant characteristics and their effect sizes. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of hypertension screening. Results Eighty-eight per cent of participants reported prior screening for hypertension. However, only 53.5% of patients under pharmacological treatment for hypertension had controlled blood pressure. In bivariate regression, employed participants were 80.3% (COR = 0.197, 95% CI [0.042–0.921]) more likely to be screened. In multivariable regression, the likelihood of hypertension screening was 82.4% (AOR = 0.176, 95% CI [0.047–0.655]) lower among participants in a cohabiting union than single participants. Similarly, employed participants were 87.4% (AOR = 0.129, 95% CI [0.017–0.952]) less likely to be screened than their unemployed counterparts. Conclusions The considerable attrition from the HCC across socio-demographic categories indicates a need for community-wide intervent…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Herbert Chikafu
creator: Moses Chimbari
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Global Health
subject: Health Policy
subject: Public Health
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12372
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Chikafu and Chimbari
abstract: Background Treatment and control of hypertension are associated with a substantial reduction in adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes. Although South Africa aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases, there is limited evidence on the hypertension care cascade (HCC) performance in rural areas where stroke and hypertension are high. This study estimated HCC performance and identified predictors of hypertension screening among adults in the Ingwavuma community of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire from 400 adult participants, excluding pregnant women and those with physical or cognitive impairments. Three hundred and ninety-three participants had complete data, and 131 had high blood pressure. We calculated progression rates for screening, diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension from the sub-sample of participants with high blood pressure and assessed the bivariate association between HCC stages and participant characteristics and their effect sizes. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of hypertension screening. Results Eighty-eight per cent of participants reported prior screening for hypertension. However, only 53.5% of patients under pharmacological treatment for hypertension had controlled blood pressure. In bivariate regression, employed participants were 80.3% (COR = 0.197, 95% CI [0.042–0.921]) more likely to be screened. In multivariable regression, the likelihood of hypertension screening was 82.4% (AOR = 0.176, 95% CI [0.047–0.655]) lower among participants in a cohabiting union than single participants. Similarly, employed participants were 87.4% (AOR = 0.129, 95% CI [0.017–0.952]) less likely to be screened than their unemployed counterparts. Conclusions The considerable attrition from the HCC across socio-demographic categories indicates a need for community-wide intervent…
bibliographic citation: Chikafu et al. (2021) Hypertension care cascade in the Ingwavuma rural community, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. PeerJ 9:e12372 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12372
date submitted: 2021-05-19
date accepted: 2021-10-01
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chikafu
  given name: Herbert
author list: Agent
  family name: Chimbari
  given name: Moses
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12372
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: © 2021 Chikafu and Chimbari
attribution name: Chikafu and Chimbari

Adding pieces to the puzzle: insights into diversity and distribution patterns of Cumacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the deep North Atlantic to the Arctic Ocean
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Nordic Seas have one of the highest water-mass diversities in the world, yet large knowledge gaps exist in biodiversity structure and biogeographical distribution patterns of the deep macrobenthic fauna. This study focuses on the marine bottom-dwelling peracarid crustacean taxon Cumacea from northern waters, using a combined approach of morphological and molecular techniques to present one of the first insights into genetic variability of this taxon. In total, 947 specimens were assigned to 77 morphologically differing species, representing all seven known families from the North Atlantic. A total of 131 specimens were studied genetically (16S rRNA) and divided into 53 putative species by species delimitation methods (GMYC and ABGD). In most cases, morphological and molecular-genetic delimitation was fully congruent, highlighting the overall success and high quality of both approaches. Differences were due to eight instances resulting in either ecologically driven morphological diversification of species or morphologically cryptic species, uncovering hidden diversity. An interspecific genetic distance of at least 8% was observed with a clear barcoding gap for molecular delimitation of cumacean species. Combining these findings with data from public databases and specimens collected during different international expeditions revealed a change in the composition of taxa from a Northern Atlantic-boreal to an Arctic community. The Greenland-Iceland-Scotland-Ridge (GIS-Ridge) acts as a geographical barrier and/or predominate water masses correspond well with cumacean taxa dominance. A closer investigation on species level revealed occurrences across multiple ecoregions or patchy distributions within defined ecoregions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Carolin Uhlir
creator: Martin Schwentner
creator: Kenneth Meland
creator: Jon Anders Kongsrud
creator: Henrik Glenner
creator: Angelika Brandt
creator: Ralf Thiel
creator: Jörundur Svavarsson
creator: Anne-Nina Lörz
creator: Saskia Brix
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12379
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Uhlir et al.
abstract: The Nordic Seas have one of the highest water-mass diversities in the world, yet large knowledge gaps exist in biodiversity structure and biogeographical distribution patterns of the deep macrobenthic fauna. This study focuses on the marine bottom-dwelling peracarid crustacean taxon Cumacea from northern waters, using a combined approach of morphological and molecular techniques to present one of the first insights into genetic variability of this taxon. In total, 947 specimens were assigned to 77 morphologically differing species, representing all seven known families from the North Atlantic. A total of 131 specimens were studied genetically (16S rRNA) and divided into 53 putative species by species delimitation methods (GMYC and ABGD). In most cases, morphological and molecular-genetic delimitation was fully congruent, highlighting the overall success and high quality of both approaches. Differences were due to eight instances resulting in either ecologically driven morphological diversification of species or morphologically cryptic species, uncovering hidden diversity. An interspecific genetic distance of at least 8% was observed with a clear barcoding gap for molecular delimitation of cumacean species. Combining these findings with data from public databases and specimens collected during different international expeditions revealed a change in the composition of taxa from a Northern Atlantic-boreal to an Arctic community. The Greenland-Iceland-Scotland-Ridge (GIS-Ridge) acts as a geographical barrier and/or predominate water masses correspond well with cumacean taxa dominance. A closer investigation on species level revealed occurrences across multiple ecoregions or patchy distributions within defined ecoregions.
bibliographic citation: Uhlir et al. (2021) Adding pieces to the puzzle: insights into diversity and distribution patterns of Cumacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the deep North Atlantic to the Arctic Ocean. PeerJ 9:e12379 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12379
date submitted: 2021-04-29
date accepted: 2021-10-04
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Uhlir
  given name: Carolin
author list: Agent
  family name: Schwentner
  given name: Martin
author list: Agent
  family name: Meland
  given name: Kenneth
author list: Agent
  family name: Kongsrud
  given name: Jon Anders
author list: Agent
  family name: Glenner
  given name: Henrik
author list: Agent
  family name: Brandt
  given name: Angelika
author list: Agent
  family name: Thiel
  given name: Ralf
author list: Agent
  family name: Svavarsson
  given name: Jörundur
author list: Agent
  family name: Lörz
  given name: Anne-Nina
author list: Agent
  family name: Brix
  given name: Saskia
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12379
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: © 2021 Uhlir et al.
attribution name: Uhlir et al.

Temperature-induced changes in egg white antimicrobial concentrations during pre-incubation do not influence bacterial trans-shell penetration but do affect hatchling phenotype in Mallards
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Microbiome formation and assemblage are essential processes influencing proper embryonal and early-life development in neonates. In birds, transmission of microbes from the outer environment into the egg’s interior has been found to shape embryo viability and hatchling phenotype. However, microbial transmission may be affected by egg-white antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), whose concentration and antimicrobial action are temperature-modulated. As both partial incubation and clutch covering with nest-lining feathers during the pre-incubation period can significantly alter temperature conditions acting on eggs, we experimentally investigated the effects of these behavioural mechanisms on concentrations of both the primary and most abundant egg-white AMPs (lysozyme and avidin) using mallard (Anas platyrhychos) eggs. In addition, we assessed whether concentrations of egg-white AMPs altered the probability and intensity of bacterial trans-shell penetration, thereby affecting hatchling morphological traits in vivo. We observed higher concentrations of lysozyme in partially incubated eggs. Clutch covering with nest-lining feathers had no effect on egg-white AMP concentration and we observed no association between concentration of egg-white lysozyme and avidin with either the probability or intensity of bacterial trans-shell penetration. The higher egg-white lysozyme concentration was associated with decreased scaled body mass index of hatchlings. These outcomes demonstrate that incubation prior to clutch completion in precocial birds can alter concentrations of particular egg-white AMPs, though with no effect on bacterial transmission into the egg in vivo. Furthermore, a higher egg white lysozyme concentration compromised hatchling body condition, suggesting a potential growth-regulating role of lysozyme during embryogenesis in precocial birds.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jana Svobodová
creator: Jakub Kreisinger
creator: Veronika Gvoždíková Javůrková
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12401
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Svobodová et al.
abstract: Microbiome formation and assemblage are essential processes influencing proper embryonal and early-life development in neonates. In birds, transmission of microbes from the outer environment into the egg’s interior has been found to shape embryo viability and hatchling phenotype. However, microbial transmission may be affected by egg-white antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), whose concentration and antimicrobial action are temperature-modulated. As both partial incubation and clutch covering with nest-lining feathers during the pre-incubation period can significantly alter temperature conditions acting on eggs, we experimentally investigated the effects of these behavioural mechanisms on concentrations of both the primary and most abundant egg-white AMPs (lysozyme and avidin) using mallard (Anas platyrhychos) eggs. In addition, we assessed whether concentrations of egg-white AMPs altered the probability and intensity of bacterial trans-shell penetration, thereby affecting hatchling morphological traits in vivo. We observed higher concentrations of lysozyme in partially incubated eggs. Clutch covering with nest-lining feathers had no effect on egg-white AMP concentration and we observed no association between concentration of egg-white lysozyme and avidin with either the probability or intensity of bacterial trans-shell penetration. The higher egg-white lysozyme concentration was associated with decreased scaled body mass index of hatchlings. These outcomes demonstrate that incubation prior to clutch completion in precocial birds can alter concentrations of particular egg-white AMPs, though with no effect on bacterial transmission into the egg in vivo. Furthermore, a higher egg white lysozyme concentration compromised hatchling body condition, suggesting a potential growth-regulating role of lysozyme during embryogenesis in precocial birds.
bibliographic citation: Svobodová et al. (2021) Temperature-induced changes in egg white antimicrobial concentrations during pre-incubation do not influence bacterial trans-shell penetration but do affect hatchling phenotype in Mallards. PeerJ 9:e12401 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12401
date submitted: 2021-05-10
date accepted: 2021-10-06
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Svobodová
  given name: Jana
author list: Agent
  family name: Kreisinger
  given name: Jakub
author list: Agent
  family name: Gvoždíková Javůrková
  given name: Veronika
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12401
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: ©2021 Svobodová et al.
attribution name: Svobodová et al.

Habitat connectivity and resource selection in an expanding bobcat (Lynx rufus) population
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Terrestrial carnivores are among the most imperiled species worldwide, yet some species are resilient and are recovering in human-dominated landscapes after decades or centuries of absence. Bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations were extirpated from much of Midwestern US in the mid-1800’s, and are currently expanding and recolonizing their former range. In this study, we investigated multi-scale habitat selection for Ohio’s expanding bobcat population, and examined habitat connectivity in order to evaluate the conduits for dispersal statewide. We used citizen observations collected between 1978 and 2019 and logistic regression to evaluate population-level habitat selection, and GPS telemetry data for 20 individuals collected between 2012 and 2014 and a distribution-weighted exponential Resource Selection Function to evaluate individual-level habitat selection within home ranges. At the population level, bobcats selected for higher amounts of forest and pasture (at a 50 km2 scale) and herbaceous vegetation (at 15–50 50 km2 scales), thus overall heterogeneous forested habitat. At individual (home range) level, bobcats selected for forested habitats with low road density and farther away from high traffic roads; they also showed weak selection for open habitat at the home range level. Male home ranges were significantly greater than female home ranges. Lastly, we used the population-level spatial outputs (i.e. habitat suitability map) to parameterize habitat connectivity models using circuit theory in the program Circuitscape. We tested three relationships between habitat suitability and resistance to movement and used a subset of data on potential dispersing individuals to evaluate which relationship performed best. All three relationships performed almost equally well, and we calculated a weighted averaged connectivity map as our final map. Habitat was highly permeable to movements between core areas of two genetically distinct subpopulations located in southeastern Ohio. W…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Viorel D. Popescu
creator: Madeline Kenyon
creator: Ryan K. Brown
creator: Marissa A. Dyck
creator: Suzanne Prange
creator: William E. Peterman
creator: Catherine Dennison
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12460
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Popescu et al.
abstract: Terrestrial carnivores are among the most imperiled species worldwide, yet some species are resilient and are recovering in human-dominated landscapes after decades or centuries of absence. Bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations were extirpated from much of Midwestern US in the mid-1800’s, and are currently expanding and recolonizing their former range. In this study, we investigated multi-scale habitat selection for Ohio’s expanding bobcat population, and examined habitat connectivity in order to evaluate the conduits for dispersal statewide. We used citizen observations collected between 1978 and 2019 and logistic regression to evaluate population-level habitat selection, and GPS telemetry data for 20 individuals collected between 2012 and 2014 and a distribution-weighted exponential Resource Selection Function to evaluate individual-level habitat selection within home ranges. At the population level, bobcats selected for higher amounts of forest and pasture (at a 50 km2 scale) and herbaceous vegetation (at 15–50 50 km2 scales), thus overall heterogeneous forested habitat. At individual (home range) level, bobcats selected for forested habitats with low road density and farther away from high traffic roads; they also showed weak selection for open habitat at the home range level. Male home ranges were significantly greater than female home ranges. Lastly, we used the population-level spatial outputs (i.e. habitat suitability map) to parameterize habitat connectivity models using circuit theory in the program Circuitscape. We tested three relationships between habitat suitability and resistance to movement and used a subset of data on potential dispersing individuals to evaluate which relationship performed best. All three relationships performed almost equally well, and we calculated a weighted averaged connectivity map as our final map. Habitat was highly permeable to movements between core areas of two genetically distinct subpopulations located in southeastern Ohio. W…
bibliographic citation: Popescu et al. (2021) Habitat connectivity and resource selection in an expanding bobcat (Lynx rufus) population. PeerJ 9:e12460 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12460
date submitted: 2021-05-11
date accepted: 2021-10-18
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Popescu
  given name: Viorel D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Kenyon
  given name: Madeline
author list: Agent
  family name: Brown
  given name: Ryan K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Dyck
  given name: Marissa A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Prange
  given name: Suzanne
author list: Agent
  family name: Peterman
  given name: William E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Dennison
  given name: Catherine
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12460
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: © 2021 Popescu et al.
attribution name: Popescu et al.

Environmental changes in Yellow River Delta with terrace construction and agricultural cropping
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Crude flats in delta areas are often saline–alkaline and unsuitable for agricultural cropping. In the 1990s, people residing in the Yellow River delta constructed terraces on the flats for agricultural development. Herein, we investigated environmental changes resulting from this agricultural development and evaluated whether the current land use is effective and sustainable. Methods We sampled soil and weeds from croplands, terrace slopes, and crude flats within the delta terrace landscape. The measured soil properties included soil salinity, pH, total N, total P, and organic matter in different lands and soil layers: 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm. The surveyed weed characteristics were the biomass of roots and rhizomes, species composition, life form, cover and height. These indices were statistically verified by different land types and soil layers. Results Soil salinity in the terrace crop lands was found to have reduced to <4 g·kg−1, whereas in the crude flats, remained >6 g·kg−1. Soil pH in the terrace croplands was surprisingly increased to >9 ; meanwhile, organic matter content decreased drastically, which is significantly different from that observed in the case of terrace slopes and crude flats. Total N and P content in the terrace crop lands were seemingly unchanged on averages but at the depths >20 cm, they reduced unavoidably. Plant underground organs were relatively scarcer in the croplands than in the other lands. Weeds grew well on the terrace slopes but were insufficient in the croplands. Overall, terrace construction is effective for developing coastal saline flats for agricultural use, but the traditional land use in the Yellow River delta has caused chronic soil degradation that is against a sustainable productive industry.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Dongxiao He
creator: Jianmin Chu
creator: Hongxiao Yang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12469
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 He et al.
abstract: Background Crude flats in delta areas are often saline–alkaline and unsuitable for agricultural cropping. In the 1990s, people residing in the Yellow River delta constructed terraces on the flats for agricultural development. Herein, we investigated environmental changes resulting from this agricultural development and evaluated whether the current land use is effective and sustainable. Methods We sampled soil and weeds from croplands, terrace slopes, and crude flats within the delta terrace landscape. The measured soil properties included soil salinity, pH, total N, total P, and organic matter in different lands and soil layers: 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm. The surveyed weed characteristics were the biomass of roots and rhizomes, species composition, life form, cover and height. These indices were statistically verified by different land types and soil layers. Results Soil salinity in the terrace crop lands was found to have reduced to <4 g·kg−1, whereas in the crude flats, remained >6 g·kg−1. Soil pH in the terrace croplands was surprisingly increased to >9 ; meanwhile, organic matter content decreased drastically, which is significantly different from that observed in the case of terrace slopes and crude flats. Total N and P content in the terrace crop lands were seemingly unchanged on averages but at the depths >20 cm, they reduced unavoidably. Plant underground organs were relatively scarcer in the croplands than in the other lands. Weeds grew well on the terrace slopes but were insufficient in the croplands. Overall, terrace construction is effective for developing coastal saline flats for agricultural use, but the traditional land use in the Yellow River delta has caused chronic soil degradation that is against a sustainable productive industry.
bibliographic citation: He et al. (2021) Environmental changes in Yellow River Delta with terrace construction and agricultural cropping. PeerJ 9:e12469 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12469
date submitted: 2021-06-03
date accepted: 2021-10-20
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Dongxiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Chu
  given name: Jianmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Hongxiao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12469
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: © 2021 He et al.
attribution name: He et al.

Lower limb kinetic comparisons between the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play in table tennis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Biomechanical footwork research during table tennis performance has been the subject of much interest players and exercise scientists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb kinetic characteristics of the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play using traditional discrete analysis and one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping. Methods Twelve national level 1 table tennis players (Height: 172 ± 3.80 cm, Weight: 69 ± 6.22 kg, Age: 22 ± 1.66 years, Experience: 11 ± 1.71 year) from Ningbo University volunteered to participate in the study. The kinetic data of the dominant leg during the chasse step and one step backward phase (BP) and forward phase (FP) was recorded by instrumented insole systems and a force platform. Paired sample T tests were used to analyze maximum plantar force, peak pressure of each plantar region, the force time integral and the pressure time integral. For SPM analysis, the plantar force time series curves were marked as a 100% process. A paired-samples T-test in MATLAB was used to analyze differences in plantar force. Results One step produced a greater plantar force than the chasse step during 6.92–11.22% BP (P = 0.039). The chasse step produced a greater plantar force than one step during 53.47–99.01% BP (P < 0.001). During the FP, the chasse step showed a greater plantar force than the one step in 21.06–84.06% (P < 0.001). The one step produced a higher maximum plantar force in the BP (P = 0.032) and a lower maximum plantar force in the FP (P = 0) compared with the chasse step. The one step produced greater peak pressure in the medial rearfoot (P = 0) , lateral rearfoot (P = 0) and lateral forefoot (P = 0.042) regions than the chasse step during BP. In FP, the chasse step showed a greater peak pressure in the Toe (P = 0) than the one step. The one step had a lower force time integral (P = 0) and greater pressure time integral (P = 0) than the chasse step in BP, and the chasse step produced a grea…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yuqi He
creator: Dong Sun
creator: Xiaoyi Yang
creator: Gusztáv Fekete
creator: Julien S. Baker
creator: Yaodong Gu
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12481
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 He et al.
abstract: Background Biomechanical footwork research during table tennis performance has been the subject of much interest players and exercise scientists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb kinetic characteristics of the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play using traditional discrete analysis and one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping. Methods Twelve national level 1 table tennis players (Height: 172 ± 3.80 cm, Weight: 69 ± 6.22 kg, Age: 22 ± 1.66 years, Experience: 11 ± 1.71 year) from Ningbo University volunteered to participate in the study. The kinetic data of the dominant leg during the chasse step and one step backward phase (BP) and forward phase (FP) was recorded by instrumented insole systems and a force platform. Paired sample T tests were used to analyze maximum plantar force, peak pressure of each plantar region, the force time integral and the pressure time integral. For SPM analysis, the plantar force time series curves were marked as a 100% process. A paired-samples T-test in MATLAB was used to analyze differences in plantar force. Results One step produced a greater plantar force than the chasse step during 6.92–11.22% BP (P = 0.039). The chasse step produced a greater plantar force than one step during 53.47–99.01% BP (P < 0.001). During the FP, the chasse step showed a greater plantar force than the one step in 21.06–84.06% (P < 0.001). The one step produced a higher maximum plantar force in the BP (P = 0.032) and a lower maximum plantar force in the FP (P = 0) compared with the chasse step. The one step produced greater peak pressure in the medial rearfoot (P = 0) , lateral rearfoot (P = 0) and lateral forefoot (P = 0.042) regions than the chasse step during BP. In FP, the chasse step showed a greater peak pressure in the Toe (P = 0) than the one step. The one step had a lower force time integral (P = 0) and greater pressure time integral (P = 0) than the chasse step in BP, and the chasse step produced a grea…
bibliographic citation: He et al. (2021) Lower limb kinetic comparisons between the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play in table tennis. PeerJ 9:e12481 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12481
date submitted: 2021-06-30
date accepted: 2021-10-21
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Yuqi
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Dong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Xiaoyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Fekete
  given name: Gusztáv
author list: Agent
  family name: Baker
  given name: Julien S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gu
  given name: Yaodong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12481
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: ©2021 He et al.
attribution name: He et al.

Current state of infection and prevalence of giardiasis in Malaysia: a review of 20 years of research
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Giardiasis is a neglected parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis that is often overlooked despite the damage inflicted upon humans and domestic/wild animals. Lack of surveillance studies, low sensitivity of diagnostic tools, and resistance to giardiasis treatment add to the challenge in managing giardiasis, leaving a gap that continues to render giardiasis a silent threat to public health worldwide. This situation is not much different in Malaysia, where giardiasis remains a public health problem, especially in the indigenous communities. Realizing the existence of gaps in the literature and information on giardiasis in Malaysia, this review aims to revisit and update the situation of giardiasis in Malaysia based on articles published in 20 years from 2000 to 2020, providing estimates on the incidence of giardiasis in humans, animals, and the environment, which may inform efforts to prevent and control the impact of giardiasis in the country. Methodology We searched PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus using MeSH terms and text keywords “Giardia duodenalis OR Giardia intestinalis OR Giardia lamblia OR intestinal protozoa AND Malaysia”. Information was collected from all giardiasis reports published between 2000 and 2020. Results Giardiasis in Malaysia is more prevalent among the poorest segments of the population, namely the indigenous communities and people living in densely populated areas such as slums and prisons, due to low standard of personal hygiene, unsafe water resources, and improper sanitation. While the prevalence data is hugely dependent on microscopic fecal examination in epidemiological studies of giardiasis, current studies mostly focused on species identification and genotype distribution by multilocus genotyping. Thus far, the outbreak of giardiasis has not been reported in the country, but the disease was found to be significantly associated with stunting, wasting, and malnutrition among children of the indigenous commun…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Norhamizah Roshidi
creator: Nur Hassanah Mohd Hassan
creator: Asma Abdul Hadi
creator: Norsyahida Arifin
subject: Parasitology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12483
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Roshidi et al.
abstract: Background Giardiasis is a neglected parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis that is often overlooked despite the damage inflicted upon humans and domestic/wild animals. Lack of surveillance studies, low sensitivity of diagnostic tools, and resistance to giardiasis treatment add to the challenge in managing giardiasis, leaving a gap that continues to render giardiasis a silent threat to public health worldwide. This situation is not much different in Malaysia, where giardiasis remains a public health problem, especially in the indigenous communities. Realizing the existence of gaps in the literature and information on giardiasis in Malaysia, this review aims to revisit and update the situation of giardiasis in Malaysia based on articles published in 20 years from 2000 to 2020, providing estimates on the incidence of giardiasis in humans, animals, and the environment, which may inform efforts to prevent and control the impact of giardiasis in the country. Methodology We searched PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus using MeSH terms and text keywords “Giardia duodenalis OR Giardia intestinalis OR Giardia lamblia OR intestinal protozoa AND Malaysia”. Information was collected from all giardiasis reports published between 2000 and 2020. Results Giardiasis in Malaysia is more prevalent among the poorest segments of the population, namely the indigenous communities and people living in densely populated areas such as slums and prisons, due to low standard of personal hygiene, unsafe water resources, and improper sanitation. While the prevalence data is hugely dependent on microscopic fecal examination in epidemiological studies of giardiasis, current studies mostly focused on species identification and genotype distribution by multilocus genotyping. Thus far, the outbreak of giardiasis has not been reported in the country, but the disease was found to be significantly associated with stunting, wasting, and malnutrition among children of the indigenous commun…
bibliographic citation: Roshidi et al. (2021) Current state of infection and prevalence of giardiasis in Malaysia: a review of 20 years of research. PeerJ 9:e12483 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12483
date submitted: 2021-04-22
date accepted: 2021-10-22
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Roshidi
  given name: Norhamizah
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohd Hassan
  given name: Nur Hassanah
author list: Agent
  family name: Abdul Hadi
  given name: Asma
author list: Agent
  family name: Arifin
  given name: Norsyahida
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12483
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: ©2021 Roshidi et al.
attribution name: Roshidi et al.

Transcriptome analysis and functional identification of GmMYB46 in soybean seedlings under salt stress
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress that limits crop growth and productivity. We investigated the transcriptomes of salt-treated soybean seedlings versus a control using RNA-seq to better understand the molecular mechanisms of the soybean (Glycine max L.) response to salt stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,235 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under salt stress. Several important pathways and key candidate genes were identified by KEGG enrichment. A total of 116 differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs) were identified, and 17 TFs were found to belong to MYB families. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these TFs may be involved in salt stress adaptation. Further analysis revealed that GmMYB46 was up-regulated by salt and mannitol and was localized in the nucleus. The salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmMYB46 was significantly enhanced compared to wild-type (WT). GmMYB46 activates the expression of salt stress response genes (P5CS1, SOD, POD, NCED3) in Arabidopsis under salt stress, indicating that the GmMYB46 protein mediates the salt stress response through complex regulatory mechanisms. This study provides information with which to better understand the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in soybeans and to genetically improve the crop.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xun Liu
creator: Xinxia Yang
creator: Bin Zhang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12492
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress that limits crop growth and productivity. We investigated the transcriptomes of salt-treated soybean seedlings versus a control using RNA-seq to better understand the molecular mechanisms of the soybean (Glycine max L.) response to salt stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,235 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under salt stress. Several important pathways and key candidate genes were identified by KEGG enrichment. A total of 116 differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs) were identified, and 17 TFs were found to belong to MYB families. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these TFs may be involved in salt stress adaptation. Further analysis revealed that GmMYB46 was up-regulated by salt and mannitol and was localized in the nucleus. The salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmMYB46 was significantly enhanced compared to wild-type (WT). GmMYB46 activates the expression of salt stress response genes (P5CS1, SOD, POD, NCED3) in Arabidopsis under salt stress, indicating that the GmMYB46 protein mediates the salt stress response through complex regulatory mechanisms. This study provides information with which to better understand the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in soybeans and to genetically improve the crop.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) Transcriptome analysis and functional identification of GmMYB46 in soybean seedlings under salt stress. PeerJ 9:e12492 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12492
date submitted: 2021-06-28
date accepted: 2021-10-25
issued: 2021-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Xun
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Xinxia
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Bin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12492
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-11
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

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