PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Construct validity and internal consistency of the Breast Inflammatory Symptom Severity Index in lactating mothers with inflammatory breast conditions
items: The relationships between knee extensors/ flexors strength and balance control in elite male soccer players
items: Comparative analysis of twelve mitogenomes of Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) and their phylogenetic implications
items: Interleukin 20 receptor A expression in colorectal cancer and its clinical significance
items: A workflow for low-cost automated image analysis of myxomycete spore numbers, size and shape
items: Identification of the Golden-2-like transcription factors gene family in Gossypium hirsutum
items: Construction of an AI-2 quorum sensing induced heterologous protein expression system in Escherichia coli
items: Exotic predators are not better biocontrol agents: the harlequin ladybird is not the most voracious in Mexico
items: Potential lineage transmission within the active microbiota of the eggs and the nauplii of the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris: possible influence of the rearing water and more
items: Preliminary placement and new records of an overlooked Amazonian tree, Christiana mennegae (Malvaceae)

Construct validity and internal consistency of the Breast Inflammatory Symptom Severity Index in lactating mothers with inflammatory breast conditions
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Inflammatory Conditions of the Lactating Breast (ICLB) affect more than one in five lactating mothers, yet no fully validated outcome measures exist to aid clinicians in their patient-centred care of women with ICLB. The Breast Inflammatory Symptom Severity Index (BISSI) is an ICLB-specific clinician administered patient-reported outcome measure, currently used by Australian clinicians, who treat mothers with ICLB. To date the BISSI has undergone partial psychometric development. This study, therefore, aimed to undertake the next stage of psychometric development by determining the construct validity and internal consistency of the BISSI. Methods A retrospective audit was conducted on patient records of 160 mothers who were treated for ICLB, at a private physiotherapy practice in Melbourne, Australia. An electronic data capture tool was used to collate BISSI scores and associated ICLB assessment variables. Construct validity was determined through factor analysis and discriminant performance. Reliability was determined by assessing measures of internal consistency. Results Factor analysis established that BISSI items (n = 10) loaded on to four factors, Wellness, Pain, Physical Characteristics of Affected Area (PCAA), and Inflammation, which together, explained 71.2% of variance. The remaining item (‘Wellness/sickness unspecified’) did not load. Wellness, Pain, PCAA and Inflammation factors individually and collectively displayed the ability to discriminate symptom severity, as scores were significantly higher in mothers with high symptom severity (assessed via AUC close to or >0.7 and P value <0.005 for each factor). The BISSI demonstrated internal consistency with an overall Cronbach alpha of 0.742. Conclusions The BISSI has adequate construct validity, demonstrating behaviour consistent with theoretical constructs of inflammation severity, via its dimensionality and ability to discriminate symptom severity. The BISSI also has adequate internal consisten…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Emma Heron
creator: Adelle McArdle
creator: Md Nazmul Karim
creator: Melinda Cooper
creator: Donna Geddes
creator: Leanda McKenna
subject: Women’s Health
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12439
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Heron et al.
abstract: Background Inflammatory Conditions of the Lactating Breast (ICLB) affect more than one in five lactating mothers, yet no fully validated outcome measures exist to aid clinicians in their patient-centred care of women with ICLB. The Breast Inflammatory Symptom Severity Index (BISSI) is an ICLB-specific clinician administered patient-reported outcome measure, currently used by Australian clinicians, who treat mothers with ICLB. To date the BISSI has undergone partial psychometric development. This study, therefore, aimed to undertake the next stage of psychometric development by determining the construct validity and internal consistency of the BISSI. Methods A retrospective audit was conducted on patient records of 160 mothers who were treated for ICLB, at a private physiotherapy practice in Melbourne, Australia. An electronic data capture tool was used to collate BISSI scores and associated ICLB assessment variables. Construct validity was determined through factor analysis and discriminant performance. Reliability was determined by assessing measures of internal consistency. Results Factor analysis established that BISSI items (n = 10) loaded on to four factors, Wellness, Pain, Physical Characteristics of Affected Area (PCAA), and Inflammation, which together, explained 71.2% of variance. The remaining item (‘Wellness/sickness unspecified’) did not load. Wellness, Pain, PCAA and Inflammation factors individually and collectively displayed the ability to discriminate symptom severity, as scores were significantly higher in mothers with high symptom severity (assessed via AUC close to or >0.7 and P value <0.005 for each factor). The BISSI demonstrated internal consistency with an overall Cronbach alpha of 0.742. Conclusions The BISSI has adequate construct validity, demonstrating behaviour consistent with theoretical constructs of inflammation severity, via its dimensionality and ability to discriminate symptom severity. The BISSI also has adequate internal consisten…
bibliographic citation: Heron et al. (2021) Construct validity and internal consistency of the Breast Inflammatory Symptom Severity Index in lactating mothers with inflammatory breast conditions. PeerJ 9:e12439 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12439
date submitted: 2021-08-04
date accepted: 2021-10-15
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Heron
  given name: Emma
author list: Agent
  family name: McArdle
  given name: Adelle
author list: Agent
  family name: Karim
  given name: Md Nazmul
author list: Agent
  family name: Cooper
  given name: Melinda
author list: Agent
  family name: Geddes
  given name: Donna
author list: Agent
  family name: McKenna
  given name: Leanda
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12439
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: ©2021 Heron et al.
attribution name: Heron et al.

The relationships between knee extensors/ flexors strength and balance control in elite male soccer players
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Strength and balance are important factors for soccer players to be successful. This study’s aim was to determine the relationship between lower-limb muscle strength and balance control in elite male soccer players (n = 77). Methods Concentric isokinetic strength (peak torque of quadriceps (PT-Q) and hamstrings (PT-H), hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio) was measured for the dominant and non-dominant leg at angular velocities of 60°s−1and 240°s−1, as well as the total work for extensors (TW-Q) and flexors (TW-H) for both legs (at an angular velocity of 240°s−1only). Balance score (BAL score) was used for unilateral assessment of balance control using a Delos Postural System Test measurement tool. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to predict balance control using isokinetic knee strength performance for dominant and non-dominant legs. Results Final modelling included peak torque of hamstrings at 240°s−1 and peak torque of the quadriceps at 240°s−1 for the non-dominant leg (R2 = 19.6%; p ≤ 0.001) and only peak hamstring torque at 240°s−1 for the dominant leg (R2 = 11.3%; p = 0.003) as significant predictors of balance score. Conclusion Findings indicate that balance control is widely influenced by peak hamstring torque and peak quadriceps torque at high angular velocity particularly in the non-dominant leg i.e., the supporting leg in soccer players.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Robert Śliwowski
creator: Jakub Marynowicz
creator: Łukasz Jadczak
creator: Monika Grygorowicz
creator: Paweł Kalinowski
creator: Thierry Paillard
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12461
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Śliwowski et al.
abstract: Background Strength and balance are important factors for soccer players to be successful. This study’s aim was to determine the relationship between lower-limb muscle strength and balance control in elite male soccer players (n = 77). Methods Concentric isokinetic strength (peak torque of quadriceps (PT-Q) and hamstrings (PT-H), hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio) was measured for the dominant and non-dominant leg at angular velocities of 60°s−1and 240°s−1, as well as the total work for extensors (TW-Q) and flexors (TW-H) for both legs (at an angular velocity of 240°s−1only). Balance score (BAL score) was used for unilateral assessment of balance control using a Delos Postural System Test measurement tool. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to predict balance control using isokinetic knee strength performance for dominant and non-dominant legs. Results Final modelling included peak torque of hamstrings at 240°s−1 and peak torque of the quadriceps at 240°s−1 for the non-dominant leg (R2 = 19.6%; p ≤ 0.001) and only peak hamstring torque at 240°s−1 for the dominant leg (R2 = 11.3%; p = 0.003) as significant predictors of balance score. Conclusion Findings indicate that balance control is widely influenced by peak hamstring torque and peak quadriceps torque at high angular velocity particularly in the non-dominant leg i.e., the supporting leg in soccer players.
bibliographic citation: Śliwowski et al. (2021) The relationships between knee extensors/ flexors strength and balance control in elite male soccer players. PeerJ 9:e12461 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12461
date submitted: 2021-06-30
date accepted: 2021-10-18
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Śliwowski
  given name: Robert
author list: Agent
  family name: Marynowicz
  given name: Jakub
author list: Agent
  family name: Jadczak
  given name: Łukasz
author list: Agent
  family name: Grygorowicz
  given name: Monika
author list: Agent
  family name: Kalinowski
  given name: Paweł
author list: Agent
  family name: Paillard
  given name: Thierry
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12461
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: ©2021 Śliwowski et al.
attribution name: Śliwowski et al.

Comparative analysis of twelve mitogenomes of Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) and their phylogenetic implications
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Here, the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of 12 Caliscelidae species, Augilina tetraina, Augilina triaina, Symplana brevistrata, Symplana lii, Neosymplana vittatum, Pseudosymplanella nigrifasciata, Symplanella brevicephala, Symplanella unipuncta, Augilodes binghami, Cylindratus longicephalus, Caliscelis shandongensis, and Peltonotellus sp., were determined and comparatively analyzed. The genomes varied from 15,424 to 16,746 bp in size, comprising 37 mitochondrial genes and an A+T-rich region. The typical gene content and arrangement were similar to those of most Fulgoroidea species. The nucleotide compositions of the mitogenomes were biased toward A/T. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) started with a canonical ATN or GTG codon and ended with TAN or an incomplete stop codon, single T. Among 13 PCGs in 16 reported Caliscelidae mitogenomes, cox1 and atp8 showed the lowest and highest nucleotide diversity, respectively. All PCGs evolved under purifying selection, with atp8 considered a comparatively fast-evolving gene. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed based on 13 PCGs in 16 Caliscelidae species and five outgroups using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. All species of Caliscelidae formed a steadily monophyletic group with high support. Peltonotellini was present at the basal position of the phylogenetic tree. Augilini was the sister group to Caliscelini and Peltonotellini.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Nian Gong
creator: Lin Yang
creator: Xiangsheng Chen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Entomology
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12465
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Gong et al.
abstract: Here, the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of 12 Caliscelidae species, Augilina tetraina, Augilina triaina, Symplana brevistrata, Symplana lii, Neosymplana vittatum, Pseudosymplanella nigrifasciata, Symplanella brevicephala, Symplanella unipuncta, Augilodes binghami, Cylindratus longicephalus, Caliscelis shandongensis, and Peltonotellus sp., were determined and comparatively analyzed. The genomes varied from 15,424 to 16,746 bp in size, comprising 37 mitochondrial genes and an A+T-rich region. The typical gene content and arrangement were similar to those of most Fulgoroidea species. The nucleotide compositions of the mitogenomes were biased toward A/T. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) started with a canonical ATN or GTG codon and ended with TAN or an incomplete stop codon, single T. Among 13 PCGs in 16 reported Caliscelidae mitogenomes, cox1 and atp8 showed the lowest and highest nucleotide diversity, respectively. All PCGs evolved under purifying selection, with atp8 considered a comparatively fast-evolving gene. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed based on 13 PCGs in 16 Caliscelidae species and five outgroups using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. All species of Caliscelidae formed a steadily monophyletic group with high support. Peltonotellini was present at the basal position of the phylogenetic tree. Augilini was the sister group to Caliscelini and Peltonotellini.
bibliographic citation: Gong et al. (2021) Comparative analysis of twelve mitogenomes of Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) and their phylogenetic implications. PeerJ 9:e12465 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12465
date submitted: 2021-07-02
date accepted: 2021-10-19
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gong
  given name: Nian
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Lin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiangsheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12465
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: © 2021 Gong et al.
attribution name: Gong et al.

Interleukin 20 receptor A expression in colorectal cancer and its clinical significance
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Interleukin 20 receptor A (IL20RA) has been shown to play a role in the establishment and progression of multiple tumors. However, the expression of this protein in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its correlation with the clinicopathological parameters of CRC have remained unclear. Methods A total of 323 paraffin sections including CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues after surgery were collected. IL20RA protein expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The difference expression of IL20RA mRNA between CRC and normal tissues was also explored in the Oncomine and GEO databases. In addition, the IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes were analyzed in TCGA database and enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the cell functions and pathways related to IL20RA expression. Results There was increased IL20RA expression in CRC compared with that in normal tissues. High IL20RA expression was associated with greater tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, and poor TNM stage in CRC, while also being suggestive of poor prognosis. The main pathways of IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes in TCGA were protein heterodimerization activity, oxygen binding, oxygen transporter activity, hormone activity, and lipid transporter activity. Meanwhile, IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in peroxidase, nucleotide stimulant repair, fatty acid metabolism, basal transcription factor, and RNA degradation. Conclusions IL20RA might have a role as a biomarker for CRC. Its upregulation might contribute to an aggressive phenotype in CRC. IL20RA’s involvement in the development and progression of CRC might occur through it affecting fatty acid metabolism, oxygen binding, oxygen transport, and hormone activity.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rui Liu
creator: Honghao Yin
creator: Xin Sun
creator: Songyi Liu
creator: Ang Wang
creator: Ying Wu
creator: Yuan Yuan
creator: Yuehua Gong
creator: Chengzhong Xing
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Oncology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12467
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Background Interleukin 20 receptor A (IL20RA) has been shown to play a role in the establishment and progression of multiple tumors. However, the expression of this protein in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its correlation with the clinicopathological parameters of CRC have remained unclear. Methods A total of 323 paraffin sections including CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues after surgery were collected. IL20RA protein expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The difference expression of IL20RA mRNA between CRC and normal tissues was also explored in the Oncomine and GEO databases. In addition, the IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes were analyzed in TCGA database and enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the cell functions and pathways related to IL20RA expression. Results There was increased IL20RA expression in CRC compared with that in normal tissues. High IL20RA expression was associated with greater tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, and poor TNM stage in CRC, while also being suggestive of poor prognosis. The main pathways of IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes in TCGA were protein heterodimerization activity, oxygen binding, oxygen transporter activity, hormone activity, and lipid transporter activity. Meanwhile, IL20RA-related differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in peroxidase, nucleotide stimulant repair, fatty acid metabolism, basal transcription factor, and RNA degradation. Conclusions IL20RA might have a role as a biomarker for CRC. Its upregulation might contribute to an aggressive phenotype in CRC. IL20RA’s involvement in the development and progression of CRC might occur through it affecting fatty acid metabolism, oxygen binding, oxygen transport, and hormone activity.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) Interleukin 20 receptor A expression in colorectal cancer and its clinical significance. PeerJ 9:e12467 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12467
date submitted: 2021-05-03
date accepted: 2021-10-19
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Rui
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Honghao
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Songyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Yuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Gong
  given name: Yuehua
author list: Agent
  family name: Xing
  given name: Chengzhong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12467
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

A workflow for low-cost automated image analysis of myxomycete spore numbers, size and shape
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Measuring spore size is a standard method for the description of fungal taxa, but in manual microscopic analyses the number of spores that can be measured and information on their morphological traits are typically limited. To overcome this weakness we present a method to analyze the size and shape of large numbers of spherical bodies, such as spores or pollen, by using inexpensive equipment. A spore suspension mounted on a slide is treated with a low-cost, high-vibration device to distribute spores uniformly in a single layer without overlap. Subsequently, 10,000 to 50,000 objects per slide are measured by automated image analysis. The workflow involves (1) slide preparation, (2) automated image acquisition by light microscopy, (3) filtering to separate high-density clusters, (4) image segmentation by applying a machine learning software, Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA), and (5) statistical evaluation of the results. The technique produced consistent results and compared favorably with manual measurements in terms of precision. Moreover, measuring spore size distribution yields information not obtained by manual microscopic analyses, as shown for the myxomycete Physarum albescens. The exact size distribution of spores revealed irregularities in spore formation resulting from the influence of environmental conditions on spore maturation. A comparison of the spore size distribution within and between sporocarp colonies showed large environmental and likely genetic variation. In addition, the comparison identified specimens with spores roughly twice the normal size. The successful implementation of the presented method for analyzing myxomycete spores also suggests potential for other applications.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jan Woyzichovski
creator: Oleg Shchepin
creator: Nikki Heherson Dagamac
creator: Martin Schnittler
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Mycology
subject: Data Science
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12471
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Woyzichovski et al.
abstract: Measuring spore size is a standard method for the description of fungal taxa, but in manual microscopic analyses the number of spores that can be measured and information on their morphological traits are typically limited. To overcome this weakness we present a method to analyze the size and shape of large numbers of spherical bodies, such as spores or pollen, by using inexpensive equipment. A spore suspension mounted on a slide is treated with a low-cost, high-vibration device to distribute spores uniformly in a single layer without overlap. Subsequently, 10,000 to 50,000 objects per slide are measured by automated image analysis. The workflow involves (1) slide preparation, (2) automated image acquisition by light microscopy, (3) filtering to separate high-density clusters, (4) image segmentation by applying a machine learning software, Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA), and (5) statistical evaluation of the results. The technique produced consistent results and compared favorably with manual measurements in terms of precision. Moreover, measuring spore size distribution yields information not obtained by manual microscopic analyses, as shown for the myxomycete Physarum albescens. The exact size distribution of spores revealed irregularities in spore formation resulting from the influence of environmental conditions on spore maturation. A comparison of the spore size distribution within and between sporocarp colonies showed large environmental and likely genetic variation. In addition, the comparison identified specimens with spores roughly twice the normal size. The successful implementation of the presented method for analyzing myxomycete spores also suggests potential for other applications.
bibliographic citation: Woyzichovski et al. (2021) A workflow for low-cost automated image analysis of myxomycete spore numbers, size and shape. PeerJ 9:e12471 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12471
date submitted: 2020-11-16
date accepted: 2021-10-20
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Woyzichovski
  given name: Jan
author list: Agent
  family name: Shchepin
  given name: Oleg
author list: Agent
  family name: Dagamac
  given name: Nikki Heherson
author list: Agent
  family name: Schnittler
  given name: Martin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12471
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: ©2021 Woyzichovski et al.
attribution name: Woyzichovski et al.

Identification of the Golden-2-like transcription factors gene family in Gossypium hirsutum
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Golden2-Like (GLK) transcription factors are a type of transcriptional regulator in plants. They play a pivotal role in the plant physiological activity process and abiotic stress response. Methods In this study, the potential function of GLK family genes in Gossypium hirsutum was studied based on genomic identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosome mapping and cis-regulatory elements prediction. Gene expression of nine key genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR experiments. Results Herein, we identified a total of 146 GhGLK genes in Gossypium hirsutum, which were unevenly distributed on each of the chromosomes. There were significant differences in the number and location of genes between the At sub-genome and the Dt sub-genome. According to the phylogenetic analysis, they were divided into ten subgroups, each of which had very similar number and structure of exons and introns. Some cis-regulatory elements were identified through promoter analysis, including five types of elements related to abiotic stress response, five types of elements related to phytohormone and five types of elements involved in growth and development. Based on public transcriptome data analysis, we identified nine key GhGLKs involved in salt, cold, and drought stress. The qRT-PCR results showed that these genes had different expression patterns under these stress conditions, suggesting that GhGLK genes played an important role in abiotic stress response. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the screening and functional verification of genes related to stress resistance of GLK gene family in cotton.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zilin Zhao
creator: Jiaran Shuang
creator: Zhaoguo Li
creator: Huimin Xiao
creator: Yuling Liu
creator: Tao Wang
creator: Yangyang Wei
creator: Shoulin Hu
creator: Sumei Wan
creator: Renhai Peng
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12484
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Zhao et al.
abstract: Background Golden2-Like (GLK) transcription factors are a type of transcriptional regulator in plants. They play a pivotal role in the plant physiological activity process and abiotic stress response. Methods In this study, the potential function of GLK family genes in Gossypium hirsutum was studied based on genomic identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosome mapping and cis-regulatory elements prediction. Gene expression of nine key genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR experiments. Results Herein, we identified a total of 146 GhGLK genes in Gossypium hirsutum, which were unevenly distributed on each of the chromosomes. There were significant differences in the number and location of genes between the At sub-genome and the Dt sub-genome. According to the phylogenetic analysis, they were divided into ten subgroups, each of which had very similar number and structure of exons and introns. Some cis-regulatory elements were identified through promoter analysis, including five types of elements related to abiotic stress response, five types of elements related to phytohormone and five types of elements involved in growth and development. Based on public transcriptome data analysis, we identified nine key GhGLKs involved in salt, cold, and drought stress. The qRT-PCR results showed that these genes had different expression patterns under these stress conditions, suggesting that GhGLK genes played an important role in abiotic stress response. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the screening and functional verification of genes related to stress resistance of GLK gene family in cotton.
bibliographic citation: Zhao et al. (2021) Identification of the Golden-2-like transcription factors gene family in Gossypium hirsutum. PeerJ 9:e12484 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12484
date submitted: 2021-06-08
date accepted: 2021-10-22
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Zilin
author list: Agent
  family name: Shuang
  given name: Jiaran
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Zhaoguo
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiao
  given name: Huimin
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yuling
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Wei
  given name: Yangyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Shoulin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wan
  given name: Sumei
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Renhai
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12484
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: © 2021 Zhao et al.
attribution name: Zhao et al.

Construction of an AI-2 quorum sensing induced heterologous protein expression system in Escherichia coli
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The pET expression system based on T7 promoter which is induced by isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) is by far the most commonly used system for production of heterogeneous proteins in Escherichia coli. However, this system was limited by obvious drawbacks including the host toxicity and metabolic burden imposed by the presence of IPTG. Methods In this study, we incorporated the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) quorum sensing system to realize autoinduction of the pET expression system. The autoinduction expression vector pXWZ1 was constructed by inserting the lsr promoter regions into the pET28a(+) vector. The expression efficiency of the reporter genes gfpuv and lacZ by the pXWZ1 and pET28a(+) vectors were compared. Results The results showed that the expression levels of the both report genes in the cells transformed with pXWZ1 without any addition of exogenous inducer were higher than that transformed with pET28a(+) vectors by the induction of IPTG. Conclusion This new auto-induction system will exclude the limitations of the IPTG induction including toxic to host and increasing formation of inclusion body and will become a more economical and convenient tool for recombinant protein expression.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fei Shang
creator: Hui Wang
creator: Dan Zhang
creator: Wenhui Wang
creator: Jiangliu Yu
creator: Ting Xue
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12497
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Shang et al.
abstract: Background The pET expression system based on T7 promoter which is induced by isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) is by far the most commonly used system for production of heterogeneous proteins in Escherichia coli. However, this system was limited by obvious drawbacks including the host toxicity and metabolic burden imposed by the presence of IPTG. Methods In this study, we incorporated the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) quorum sensing system to realize autoinduction of the pET expression system. The autoinduction expression vector pXWZ1 was constructed by inserting the lsr promoter regions into the pET28a(+) vector. The expression efficiency of the reporter genes gfpuv and lacZ by the pXWZ1 and pET28a(+) vectors were compared. Results The results showed that the expression levels of the both report genes in the cells transformed with pXWZ1 without any addition of exogenous inducer were higher than that transformed with pET28a(+) vectors by the induction of IPTG. Conclusion This new auto-induction system will exclude the limitations of the IPTG induction including toxic to host and increasing formation of inclusion body and will become a more economical and convenient tool for recombinant protein expression.
bibliographic citation: Shang et al. (2021) Construction of an AI-2 quorum sensing induced heterologous protein expression system in Escherichia coli. PeerJ 9:e12497 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12497
date submitted: 2021-06-15
date accepted: 2021-10-25
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shang
  given name: Fei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Dan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Wenhui
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Jiangliu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xue
  given name: Ting
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12497
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: ©2021 Shang et al.
attribution name: Shang et al.

Exotic predators are not better biocontrol agents: the harlequin ladybird is not the most voracious in Mexico
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The use of exotic species for pest biocontrol has been a common pathway for introduction and dispersal of invasive species that may have undesired outcomes. Biocontrol agents are believed to be a less damaging alternative than pesticides, but some species may also prey on or parasitize native species or outcompete them for resources. The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is a well-known biocontrol agent originally from Asia that has established invasive populations in 59 countries around the globe. Harlequin ladybirds are generalist predators that in addition to pests prey on an array of different species including other coccinelids’ eggs and larvae. In Mexico, native ladybirds that share ecological requirements with harlequin ladybirds are at risk of being outcompeted and predated upon. The aim of our study was to compare the foraging efficiency of harlequin ladybirds against three species of native coccinelids when preying on aphids. We investigated the foraging behaviour of ladybirds alone and in pairs with a conspecific, a native heterospecific or an exotic heterospecific. We found that the native Cycloneda sanguinea was the species that consumed the most aphids, while Hippodamia convergens was the fastest to find and consume each aphid. Harlequin ladybirds and H. convergens consumed the same number of aphids while P. vittigera consumed less. Conspecific competition was stronger than heterospecific competition. We discuss the suitability of using the exotic invasive harlequin ladybird for aphid biocontrol in comparison with native coccinelids.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Morelia Camacho-Cervantes
creator: Wendy Mendoza-Arroyo
creator: Daniela Arellano-Sánchez
creator: Ek del-Val
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12503
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Camacho-Cervantes et al.
abstract: The use of exotic species for pest biocontrol has been a common pathway for introduction and dispersal of invasive species that may have undesired outcomes. Biocontrol agents are believed to be a less damaging alternative than pesticides, but some species may also prey on or parasitize native species or outcompete them for resources. The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is a well-known biocontrol agent originally from Asia that has established invasive populations in 59 countries around the globe. Harlequin ladybirds are generalist predators that in addition to pests prey on an array of different species including other coccinelids’ eggs and larvae. In Mexico, native ladybirds that share ecological requirements with harlequin ladybirds are at risk of being outcompeted and predated upon. The aim of our study was to compare the foraging efficiency of harlequin ladybirds against three species of native coccinelids when preying on aphids. We investigated the foraging behaviour of ladybirds alone and in pairs with a conspecific, a native heterospecific or an exotic heterospecific. We found that the native Cycloneda sanguinea was the species that consumed the most aphids, while Hippodamia convergens was the fastest to find and consume each aphid. Harlequin ladybirds and H. convergens consumed the same number of aphids while P. vittigera consumed less. Conspecific competition was stronger than heterospecific competition. We discuss the suitability of using the exotic invasive harlequin ladybird for aphid biocontrol in comparison with native coccinelids.
bibliographic citation: Camacho-Cervantes et al. (2021) Exotic predators are not better biocontrol agents: the harlequin ladybird is not the most voracious in Mexico. PeerJ 9:e12503 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12503
date submitted: 2021-06-11
date accepted: 2021-10-26
issued: 2021-11-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Camacho-Cervantes
  given name: Morelia
author list: Agent
  family name: Mendoza-Arroyo
  given name: Wendy
author list: Agent
  family name: Arellano-Sánchez
  given name: Daniela
author list: Agent
  family name: del-Val
  given name: Ek
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12503
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-16
copyright: © 2021 Camacho-Cervantes et al.
attribution name: Camacho-Cervantes et al.

Potential lineage transmission within the active microbiota of the eggs and the nauplii of the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris: possible influence of the rearing water and more
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Microbial communities associated with animals are known to be key elements in the development of their hosts. In marine environments, these communities are largely under the influence of the surrounding water. In aquaculture, understanding the interactions existing between the microbiotas of farmed species and their rearing environment could help establish precise bacterial management. Method In light of these facts, we studied the active microbial communities associated with the eggs and the nauplii of the Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) and their rearing water. All samples were collected in September 2018, November 2018 and February 2019. After RNA extractions, two distinct Illumina HiSeq sequencings were performed. Due to different sequencing depths and in order to compare samples, data were normalized using the Count Per Million method. Results We found a core microbiota made of taxa related to Aestuariibacter, Alteromonas, Vibrio, SAR11, HIMB11, AEGEAN 169 marine group and Candidatus Endobugula associated with all the samples indicating that these bacterial communities could be transferred from the water to the animals. We also highlighted specific bacterial taxa in the eggs and the nauplii affiliated to Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter, Labrenzia, Rothia, Thalassolituus, Marinobacter, Aureispira, Oleiphilus, Profundimonas and Marinobacterium genera suggesting a possible prokaryotic vertical transmission from the breeders to their offspring. This study is the first to focus on the active microbiota associated with early developmental stages of a farmed shrimp species and could serve as a basis to comprehend the microbial interactions involved throughout the whole rearing process.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Carolane Giraud
creator: Nolwenn Callac
creator: Maxime Beauvais
creator: Jean-René Mailliez
creator: Dominique Ansquer
creator: Nazha Selmaoui-Folcher
creator: Dominique Pham
creator: Nelly Wabete
creator: Viviane Boulo
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12241
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Giraud et al.
abstract: Background Microbial communities associated with animals are known to be key elements in the development of their hosts. In marine environments, these communities are largely under the influence of the surrounding water. In aquaculture, understanding the interactions existing between the microbiotas of farmed species and their rearing environment could help establish precise bacterial management. Method In light of these facts, we studied the active microbial communities associated with the eggs and the nauplii of the Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) and their rearing water. All samples were collected in September 2018, November 2018 and February 2019. After RNA extractions, two distinct Illumina HiSeq sequencings were performed. Due to different sequencing depths and in order to compare samples, data were normalized using the Count Per Million method. Results We found a core microbiota made of taxa related to Aestuariibacter, Alteromonas, Vibrio, SAR11, HIMB11, AEGEAN 169 marine group and Candidatus Endobugula associated with all the samples indicating that these bacterial communities could be transferred from the water to the animals. We also highlighted specific bacterial taxa in the eggs and the nauplii affiliated to Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter, Labrenzia, Rothia, Thalassolituus, Marinobacter, Aureispira, Oleiphilus, Profundimonas and Marinobacterium genera suggesting a possible prokaryotic vertical transmission from the breeders to their offspring. This study is the first to focus on the active microbiota associated with early developmental stages of a farmed shrimp species and could serve as a basis to comprehend the microbial interactions involved throughout the whole rearing process.
bibliographic citation: Giraud et al. (2021) Potential lineage transmission within the active microbiota of the eggs and the nauplii of the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris: possible influence of the rearing water and more. PeerJ 9:e12241 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12241
date submitted: 2021-07-23
date accepted: 2021-09-12
issued: 2021-11-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Giraud
  given name: Carolane
author list: Agent
  family name: Callac
  given name: Nolwenn
author list: Agent
  family name: Beauvais
  given name: Maxime
author list: Agent
  family name: Mailliez
  given name: Jean-René
author list: Agent
  family name: Ansquer
  given name: Dominique
author list: Agent
  family name: Selmaoui-Folcher
  given name: Nazha
author list: Agent
  family name: Pham
  given name: Dominique
author list: Agent
  family name: Wabete
  given name: Nelly
author list: Agent
  family name: Boulo
  given name: Viviane
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12241
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-15
copyright: ©2021 Giraud et al.
attribution name: Giraud et al.

Preliminary placement and new records of an overlooked Amazonian tree, Christiana mennegae (Malvaceae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Christiana mennegae is a phylogenetically enigmatic taxon and represents a case in point of a species whose presence escaped the radar of the Amazon lists and the Brazilian Flora project. Here we expand its distribution by adding new records from Peru and overlooked ones from Brazil. To investigate its phylogenetic placement in the Brownlowioideae, part of the rbcL gene of the plastid and the intergenic ITS2 region were sequenced. Macro- and micro-morphological investigation of features of C. mennegae using SEM of foliar, flower, fruit and seed structures are presented. A lectotype for the name is designated here. The morphology of trichomes revealed five types of trichomes ranging from glandular to branched and unbranched and we also report stomata on the seed surface for the first time in Brownlowioideae. Christiana mennegae and C. africana were recovered as sister species in the phylogenetic analysis, albeit with low to moderate support, and more species of this and closely related genera must be sampled and analyzed in order to obtain a clearer picture of the group’s affinities and relationships. We provide an update of its conservation status from Vulnerable to Least Concern. We also highlight the need for investment in the digitization of biological collections, botanical capacity building at the local level and the importance of the availability of online literature to speed the study of Amazonian plant diversity.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rafael G. Barbosa-Silva
creator: Thales Silva Coutinho
creator: Santelmo Vasconcelos
creator: Delmo Fonseca da Silva
creator: Guilherme Oliveira
creator: Daniela C. Zappi
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.12244
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Barbosa-Silva et al.
abstract: Christiana mennegae is a phylogenetically enigmatic taxon and represents a case in point of a species whose presence escaped the radar of the Amazon lists and the Brazilian Flora project. Here we expand its distribution by adding new records from Peru and overlooked ones from Brazil. To investigate its phylogenetic placement in the Brownlowioideae, part of the rbcL gene of the plastid and the intergenic ITS2 region were sequenced. Macro- and micro-morphological investigation of features of C. mennegae using SEM of foliar, flower, fruit and seed structures are presented. A lectotype for the name is designated here. The morphology of trichomes revealed five types of trichomes ranging from glandular to branched and unbranched and we also report stomata on the seed surface for the first time in Brownlowioideae. Christiana mennegae and C. africana were recovered as sister species in the phylogenetic analysis, albeit with low to moderate support, and more species of this and closely related genera must be sampled and analyzed in order to obtain a clearer picture of the group’s affinities and relationships. We provide an update of its conservation status from Vulnerable to Least Concern. We also highlight the need for investment in the digitization of biological collections, botanical capacity building at the local level and the importance of the availability of online literature to speed the study of Amazonian plant diversity.
bibliographic citation: Barbosa-Silva et al. (2021) Preliminary placement and new records of an overlooked Amazonian tree, Christiana mennegae (Malvaceae). PeerJ 9:e12244 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12244
date submitted: 2020-07-17
date accepted: 2021-09-13
issued: 2021-11-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Barbosa-Silva
  given name: Rafael G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Coutinho
  given name: Thales Silva
author list: Agent
  family name: Vasconcelos
  given name: Santelmo
author list: Agent
  family name: da Silva
  given name: Delmo Fonseca
author list: Agent
  family name: Oliveira
  given name: Guilherme
author list: Agent
  family name: Zappi
  given name: Daniela C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12244
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-11-15
copyright: ©2021 Barbosa-Silva et al.
attribution name: Barbosa-Silva et al.

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