PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis
items: Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing
items: Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe)
items: The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study
items: Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay
items: Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study
items: N-acetyl-L-tryptophan attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway in rats
items: Effect of elevation, season and accelerated snowmelt on biogeochemical processes during isolated conifer needle litter decomposition
items: The nutritional applications of garlic (Allium sativum) as natural feed additives in animals
items: The association of reactive balance control and spinal curvature under lumbar muscle fatigue

Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with persistent synovitis. In the present study, the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was explored to determine methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Methods First, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from a collagen-induced rat RA model. Next, MCP-1-overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into human and rat FLSs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of FLSs following MCP-1 transfections, respectively. Furthermore, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β in FLSs following MCP-1 transfection. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to analyze the expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), estrogen receptor, MCP-1 and pentraxin-3 in patients with clinical RA, followed by correlation analysis of clinical data. Finally, expression validation, diagnostic and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of MCP-1 were performed. Results MCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected the apoptosis of FLSs. In addition, the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β were also affected by MCP-1. In patients with clinical RA, the expression level of MCP-1 was increased. Moreover, CRP expression level was significantly up-regulated in RA. Clinically, MCP-1 was strongly correlated with tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analog scale for general health and disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-MCP-1, and was moderately correlated with DAS28 and DAS28-CRP. PPI analysis showed that MCP-1 mainly interacted with other inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion In conclusion, MCP-1 may play a significant regulatory role in RA, and could be used as a measurement index of clinical RA acti…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiang Tong
creator: Dongdong Yu
creator: Li Yu
creator: Weiqian Chen
creator: Yanling Wen
creator: Pengcheng Gu
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Immunology
subject: Rheumatology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11973
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Tong et al.
abstract: Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with persistent synovitis. In the present study, the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was explored to determine methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Methods First, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from a collagen-induced rat RA model. Next, MCP-1-overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into human and rat FLSs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of FLSs following MCP-1 transfections, respectively. Furthermore, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β in FLSs following MCP-1 transfection. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to analyze the expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), estrogen receptor, MCP-1 and pentraxin-3 in patients with clinical RA, followed by correlation analysis of clinical data. Finally, expression validation, diagnostic and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of MCP-1 were performed. Results MCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected the apoptosis of FLSs. In addition, the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β were also affected by MCP-1. In patients with clinical RA, the expression level of MCP-1 was increased. Moreover, CRP expression level was significantly up-regulated in RA. Clinically, MCP-1 was strongly correlated with tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analog scale for general health and disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-MCP-1, and was moderately correlated with DAS28 and DAS28-CRP. PPI analysis showed that MCP-1 mainly interacted with other inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion In conclusion, MCP-1 may play a significant regulatory role in RA, and could be used as a measurement index of clinical RA acti…
bibliographic citation: Tong et al. (2021) Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis. PeerJ 9:e11973 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11973
date submitted: 2021-02-04
date accepted: 2021-07-23
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tong
  given name: Xiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Dongdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Weiqian
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Yanling
author list: Agent
  family name: Gu
  given name: Pengcheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11973
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: ©2021 Tong et al.
attribution name: Tong et al.

Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: This study investigated how word meanings can be learned from natural story reading. Three experiments with adult participants compared naturalistic incidental learning with intentional learning of new meanings for familiar words, and examined the role of immediate tests in maintaining memory of new word meanings. In Experiment 1, participants learned new meanings for familiar words through incidental (story reading) and intentional (definition training task) conditions. Memory was tested with cued recall of meanings and multiple-choice meaning-to-word matching immediately and 24 h later. Results for both measures showed higher accuracy for intentional learning, which was also more time efficient than incidental learning. However, there was reasonably good learning from both methods, and items learned incidentally through stories appeared less susceptible to forgetting over 24 h. It was possible that retrieval practice at the immediate test may have aided learning and improved memory of new word meanings 24 h later, especially for the incidental story reading condition. Two preregistered experiments then examined the role of immediate testing in long-term retention of new meanings for familiar words. There was a strong testing effect for word meanings learned through intentional and incidental conditions (Experiment 2), which was non-significantly larger for items learned incidentally through stories. Both cued recall and multiple-choice tests were each individually sufficient to enhance retention compared to having no immediate test (Experiment 3), with a larger learning boost from multiple-choice. This research emphasises (i) the resilience of word meanings learned incidentally through stories and (ii) the key role that testing can play in boosting vocabulary learning from story reading.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rachael C. Hulme
creator: Jennifer M. Rodd
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11693
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Hulme and Rodd
abstract: This study investigated how word meanings can be learned from natural story reading. Three experiments with adult participants compared naturalistic incidental learning with intentional learning of new meanings for familiar words, and examined the role of immediate tests in maintaining memory of new word meanings. In Experiment 1, participants learned new meanings for familiar words through incidental (story reading) and intentional (definition training task) conditions. Memory was tested with cued recall of meanings and multiple-choice meaning-to-word matching immediately and 24 h later. Results for both measures showed higher accuracy for intentional learning, which was also more time efficient than incidental learning. However, there was reasonably good learning from both methods, and items learned incidentally through stories appeared less susceptible to forgetting over 24 h. It was possible that retrieval practice at the immediate test may have aided learning and improved memory of new word meanings 24 h later, especially for the incidental story reading condition. Two preregistered experiments then examined the role of immediate testing in long-term retention of new meanings for familiar words. There was a strong testing effect for word meanings learned through intentional and incidental conditions (Experiment 2), which was non-significantly larger for items learned incidentally through stories. Both cued recall and multiple-choice tests were each individually sufficient to enhance retention compared to having no immediate test (Experiment 3), with a larger learning boost from multiple-choice. This research emphasises (i) the resilience of word meanings learned incidentally through stories and (ii) the key role that testing can play in boosting vocabulary learning from story reading.
bibliographic citation: Hulme et al. (2021) Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing. PeerJ 9:e11693 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11693
date submitted: 2021-03-11
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hulme
  given name: Rachael C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rodd
  given name: Jennifer M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11693
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Hulme and Rodd
attribution name: Hulme and Rodd

Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Formalized classification of the class Isoëto-Nanojuncetea has not been performed in Poland. We used 69,562 relevés stored in Polish Vegetation Database. Based on the literature and expert knowledge we selected 63 diagnostic species for the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class. Unequivocal classification was applied in this work according to Cocktail method. A set of formal definitions was established using a combination of logical operators of total cover of species in case of high-rank syntaxa while sociological species groups and cover of particular species were used for logical formulas describing class, alliances and associations. An Expert System was prepared and applied to classify the whole data set of PVD and 1,340 relevés were organized at the class level. We stratifies the data and finally we used data set of 903 relevés to prepare synoptic tables, distribution maps and descriptions of the syntaxa. Twelve associations and two plant communities were identified. Vegetation of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class occur in Poland’s central and southern part, with scattered stands in northern region. We described two new plant communities within Eleocharition and Radiolion alliance. The first formal classification of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class revealed a high diversity of ephemeral vegetation wetland found in Poland in the eastern boundary of their geographical distribution in Europe.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zygmunt Kącki
creator: Andrzej Łysko
creator: Zygmunt Dajdok
creator: Piotr Kobierski
creator: Rafał Krawczyk
creator: Arkadiusz Nowak
creator: Stanisław Rosadziński
creator: Agnieszka Anna Popiela
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11703
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Kącki et al.
abstract: Formalized classification of the class Isoëto-Nanojuncetea has not been performed in Poland. We used 69,562 relevés stored in Polish Vegetation Database. Based on the literature and expert knowledge we selected 63 diagnostic species for the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class. Unequivocal classification was applied in this work according to Cocktail method. A set of formal definitions was established using a combination of logical operators of total cover of species in case of high-rank syntaxa while sociological species groups and cover of particular species were used for logical formulas describing class, alliances and associations. An Expert System was prepared and applied to classify the whole data set of PVD and 1,340 relevés were organized at the class level. We stratifies the data and finally we used data set of 903 relevés to prepare synoptic tables, distribution maps and descriptions of the syntaxa. Twelve associations and two plant communities were identified. Vegetation of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class occur in Poland’s central and southern part, with scattered stands in northern region. We described two new plant communities within Eleocharition and Radiolion alliance. The first formal classification of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class revealed a high diversity of ephemeral vegetation wetland found in Poland in the eastern boundary of their geographical distribution in Europe.
bibliographic citation: Kącki et al. (2021) Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe). PeerJ 9:e11703 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11703
date submitted: 2020-11-26
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kącki
  given name: Zygmunt
author list: Agent
  family name: Łysko
  given name: Andrzej
author list: Agent
  family name: Dajdok
  given name: Zygmunt
author list: Agent
  family name: Kobierski
  given name: Piotr
author list: Agent
  family name: Krawczyk
  given name: Rafał
author list: Agent
  family name: Nowak
  given name: Arkadiusz
author list: Agent
  family name: Rosadziński
  given name: Stanisław
author list: Agent
  family name: Popiela
  given name: Agnieszka Anna
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11703
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Kącki et al.
attribution name: Kącki et al.

The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Timely sowing is an important agronomic measure to ensure the normal germination, stable seedling establishment, and yield formation for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Delayed sowing frequently occurs in the current multi-cropping system and mechanized production of this crop. However, the ways in which different sowing dates affect yield and its potential mechanism is still unknown in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin. We sought to provide a theoretical basis for these mechanisms to improve regional wheat production. Methods We investigated the wheat’s yield differences in a two-year field study under different sowing dates and took into account related growth characteristics including meteorological conditions, growth period, tillers, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and nitrogen accumulation (NA). We used the logistic curve model to simulate DMA and NA dynamics of single stem wheat under different sowing dates. We then analyzed and compared wheat accumulation for different sowing dates. Results Our results showed that grain yield declined by 0.97 ± 0.22% with each one-day change (either early or delayed) in sowing beyond the normal sowing date. The yield loss could be explained by the inhibition of crop growth, yield components, biomass and nitrogen (N) production. The negative effects of delayed sowing were caused by environmental limitations including adverse weather factors such as low temperature during vegetative growth, shortened duration of various phases of crop development, and increased temperature during the grain-filling period. The grain yield gap decreased between the late and normal sowing periods owing to a compensatory effect between the highest average rates (Vt) and the rapid accumulation period (T) of DMA and NA for single stem wheat. The grain yield was maintained at 6,000 kg ha−1 or more when the ratio of DMA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MD/JD) and the ratio of NA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MN/JN) was 4.06 (P < 0.…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kaizhen Liu
creator: Chengxiang Zhang
creator: Beibei Guan
creator: Rui Yang
creator: Ke Liu
creator: Zhuangzhi Wang
creator: Xiu Li
creator: Keyin Xue
creator: Lijun Yin
creator: Xiaoyan Wang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11700
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Background Timely sowing is an important agronomic measure to ensure the normal germination, stable seedling establishment, and yield formation for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Delayed sowing frequently occurs in the current multi-cropping system and mechanized production of this crop. However, the ways in which different sowing dates affect yield and its potential mechanism is still unknown in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin. We sought to provide a theoretical basis for these mechanisms to improve regional wheat production. Methods We investigated the wheat’s yield differences in a two-year field study under different sowing dates and took into account related growth characteristics including meteorological conditions, growth period, tillers, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and nitrogen accumulation (NA). We used the logistic curve model to simulate DMA and NA dynamics of single stem wheat under different sowing dates. We then analyzed and compared wheat accumulation for different sowing dates. Results Our results showed that grain yield declined by 0.97 ± 0.22% with each one-day change (either early or delayed) in sowing beyond the normal sowing date. The yield loss could be explained by the inhibition of crop growth, yield components, biomass and nitrogen (N) production. The negative effects of delayed sowing were caused by environmental limitations including adverse weather factors such as low temperature during vegetative growth, shortened duration of various phases of crop development, and increased temperature during the grain-filling period. The grain yield gap decreased between the late and normal sowing periods owing to a compensatory effect between the highest average rates (Vt) and the rapid accumulation period (T) of DMA and NA for single stem wheat. The grain yield was maintained at 6,000 kg ha−1 or more when the ratio of DMA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MD/JD) and the ratio of NA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MN/JN) was 4.06 (P < 0.…
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study. PeerJ 9:e11700 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11700
date submitted: 2021-01-22
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Kaizhen
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Chengxiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Guan
  given name: Beibei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Rui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Ke
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zhuangzhi
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xiu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xue
  given name: Keyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Lijun
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiaoyan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11700
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The dynamics of potential oxygen consumption at the sediment surface in a seasonally hypoxic bay were monitored monthly by applying a tetrazolium dye (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride [INT]) reduction assay to intact sediment core samples for two consecutive years (2012–2013). Based on the empirically determined correlation between INT reduction (INT-formazan formation) and actual oxygen consumption of sediment samples, we inferred the relative contribution of biological and non-biological (chemical) processes to the potential whole oxygen consumption in the collected sediment samples. It was demonstrated that both potentials consistently increased and reached a maximum during summer hypoxia in each year. For samples collected in 2012, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes derived from the sediment surface revealed a sharp increase in the relative abundance of sulfate reducing bacteria toward hypoxia. In addition, a notable shift in other bacterial compositions was observed before and after the INT assay incubation. It was Arcobacter (Arcobacteraceae, Campylobacteria), a putative sulfur-oxidizing bacterial genus, that increased markedly during the assay period in the summer samples. These findings have implications not only for members of Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria that are consistently responsible for the consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO) year-round in the sediment, but also for those that might grow rapidly in response to episodic DO supply on the sediment surface during midst of seasonal hypoxia.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fumiaki Mori
creator: Yu Umezawa
creator: Ryuji Kondo
creator: Gregory N. Nishihara
creator: Minoru Wada
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11836
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Mori et al.
abstract: The dynamics of potential oxygen consumption at the sediment surface in a seasonally hypoxic bay were monitored monthly by applying a tetrazolium dye (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride [INT]) reduction assay to intact sediment core samples for two consecutive years (2012–2013). Based on the empirically determined correlation between INT reduction (INT-formazan formation) and actual oxygen consumption of sediment samples, we inferred the relative contribution of biological and non-biological (chemical) processes to the potential whole oxygen consumption in the collected sediment samples. It was demonstrated that both potentials consistently increased and reached a maximum during summer hypoxia in each year. For samples collected in 2012, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes derived from the sediment surface revealed a sharp increase in the relative abundance of sulfate reducing bacteria toward hypoxia. In addition, a notable shift in other bacterial compositions was observed before and after the INT assay incubation. It was Arcobacter (Arcobacteraceae, Campylobacteria), a putative sulfur-oxidizing bacterial genus, that increased markedly during the assay period in the summer samples. These findings have implications not only for members of Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria that are consistently responsible for the consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO) year-round in the sediment, but also for those that might grow rapidly in response to episodic DO supply on the sediment surface during midst of seasonal hypoxia.
bibliographic citation: Mori et al. (2021) Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay. PeerJ 9:e11836 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11836
date submitted: 2021-04-21
date accepted: 2021-07-01
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mori
  given name: Fumiaki
author list: Agent
  family name: Umezawa
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Kondo
  given name: Ryuji
author list: Agent
  family name: Nishihara
  given name: Gregory N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wada
  given name: Minoru
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11836
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Mori et al.
attribution name: Mori et al.

Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The strong and long lockdown adopted by the Italian government to limit COVID-19 spreading represents the first threat-related mass isolation in history that can be studied in depth by scientists to understand individuals’ emotional response to a pandemic. Methods We investigated the effects on individuals’ mental wellbeing of this long-term isolation by means of an online survey on 71 Italian volunteers. They completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Fear of COVID-19 Scale and judged valence, arousal, and dominance of words either related or unrelated to COVID-19, as identified by Google search trends. Results Emotional judgments changes from normative data varied depending on word type and individuals’ emotional state, revealing early signals of individuals’ mental distress to COVID-19 confinement. All individuals judged COVID-19-related words to be less positive and dominant. However, individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear also judged COVID-19-unrelated words to be less positive and dominant. Moreover, arousal ratings increased for all words among individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear but decreased among individuals with less negative feelings and COVID-19 fear. Discussion Our results show a rich picture of emotional reactions of Italians to tight and 2-month long confinement, identifying early signals of mental health distress. They are an alert to the need for intervention strategies and psychological assessment of individuals potentially needing mental health support following the COVID-19 situation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maria Montefinese
creator: Ettore Ambrosini
creator: Alessandro Angrilli
subject: Health Policy
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11858
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Montefinese et al.
abstract: Background The strong and long lockdown adopted by the Italian government to limit COVID-19 spreading represents the first threat-related mass isolation in history that can be studied in depth by scientists to understand individuals’ emotional response to a pandemic. Methods We investigated the effects on individuals’ mental wellbeing of this long-term isolation by means of an online survey on 71 Italian volunteers. They completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Fear of COVID-19 Scale and judged valence, arousal, and dominance of words either related or unrelated to COVID-19, as identified by Google search trends. Results Emotional judgments changes from normative data varied depending on word type and individuals’ emotional state, revealing early signals of individuals’ mental distress to COVID-19 confinement. All individuals judged COVID-19-related words to be less positive and dominant. However, individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear also judged COVID-19-unrelated words to be less positive and dominant. Moreover, arousal ratings increased for all words among individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear but decreased among individuals with less negative feelings and COVID-19 fear. Discussion Our results show a rich picture of emotional reactions of Italians to tight and 2-month long confinement, identifying early signals of mental health distress. They are an alert to the need for intervention strategies and psychological assessment of individuals potentially needing mental health support following the COVID-19 situation.
bibliographic citation: Montefinese et al. (2021) Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study. PeerJ 9:e11858 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11858
date submitted: 2021-01-09
date accepted: 2021-07-05
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Montefinese
  given name: Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Ambrosini
  given name: Ettore
author list: Agent
  family name: Angrilli
  given name: Alessandro
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11858
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Montefinese et al.
attribution name: Montefinese et al.

N-acetyl-L-tryptophan attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway in rats
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of TLR4/NLRP3 signal during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and to verify whether N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (L-NAT) protected hepatocytes by regulating the activation of TLR4/NLRP3 signal. We have established the rat HIRI model and H2O2-induced cell damage model to simulate ischemia-reperfusion injury and detect the corresponding indicators. Compared with the sham group, Suzuki score and the level of serum ALT increased after HIRI, accompanied by an increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, TLR4, and NF-κB. While L-NAT pretreatment reversed the above-mentioned changes. Compared with the control group, cells in the H2O2 treated group became smaller in cell volume and round in shape with unclear boundaries. Similar to the phenotypes in vivo, H2O2 treatment also induced significant increase in expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β) and inflammatory factors (TLR4 and NF-κB). While L-NAT pretreatment attenuated injuries caused by H2O2. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that L-NAT alleviates HIRI by regulating activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which may be related to the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yitong Pan
creator: Shuna Yu
creator: Jianxin Wang
creator: Wanzhen Li
creator: Huiting Li
creator: Chen Bai
creator: Yaxin Sheng
creator: Ming Li
creator: Chenchen Wang
creator: Jiao Liu
creator: Peitong Xie
creator: Can Wang
creator: Jiying Jiang
creator: Jianguo Li
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11909
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Pan et al.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of TLR4/NLRP3 signal during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and to verify whether N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (L-NAT) protected hepatocytes by regulating the activation of TLR4/NLRP3 signal. We have established the rat HIRI model and H2O2-induced cell damage model to simulate ischemia-reperfusion injury and detect the corresponding indicators. Compared with the sham group, Suzuki score and the level of serum ALT increased after HIRI, accompanied by an increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, TLR4, and NF-κB. While L-NAT pretreatment reversed the above-mentioned changes. Compared with the control group, cells in the H2O2 treated group became smaller in cell volume and round in shape with unclear boundaries. Similar to the phenotypes in vivo, H2O2 treatment also induced significant increase in expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β) and inflammatory factors (TLR4 and NF-κB). While L-NAT pretreatment attenuated injuries caused by H2O2. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that L-NAT alleviates HIRI by regulating activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which may be related to the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
bibliographic citation: Pan et al. (2021) N-acetyl-L-tryptophan attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway in rats. PeerJ 9:e11909 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11909
date submitted: 2021-01-05
date accepted: 2021-07-14
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pan
  given name: Yitong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Shuna
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jianxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Wanzhen
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Huiting
author list: Agent
  family name: Bai
  given name: Chen
author list: Agent
  family name: Sheng
  given name: Yaxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Ming
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Chenchen
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Jiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Peitong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Can
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Jiying
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Jianguo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11909
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Pan et al.
attribution name: Pan et al.

Effect of elevation, season and accelerated snowmelt on biogeochemical processes during isolated conifer needle litter decomposition
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Increased drought and temperatures associated with climate change have implications for ecosystem stress with risk for enhanced carbon release in sensitive biomes. Litter decomposition is a key component of biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, but questions remain regarding the local response of decomposition processes to climate change. This is particularly complex in mountain ecosystems where the variable nature of the slope, aspect, soil type, and snowmelt dynamics play a role. Hence, the goal of this study was to determine the role of elevation, soil type, seasonal shifts in soil moisture, and snowmelt timing on litter decomposition processes. Experimental plots containing replicate deployments of harvested lodgepole and spruce needle litter alongside needle-free controls were established in open meadows at three elevations ranging from 2,800–3,500 m in Crested Butte, Colorado. Soil biogeochemistry variables including gas flux, porewater chemistry, and microbial ecology were monitored over three climatically variable years that shifted from high monsoon rains to drought. Results indicated that elevation and soil type influenced baseline soil biogeochemical indicators; however, needle mass loss and chemical composition were consistent across the 700 m elevation gradient. Rates of gas flux were analogously consistent across a 300 m elevation gradient. The additional variable of early snowmelt by 2–3 weeks had little impact on needle chemistry, microbial composition and gas flux; however, it did result in increased dissolved organic carbon in lodgepole porewater collections suggesting a potential for aqueous export. In contrast to elevation, needle presence and seasonal variability of soil moisture and temperature both played significant roles in soil carbon fluxes. During a pronounced period of lower moisture and higher temperatures, bacterial community diversity increased across elevation with new members supplanting more dominant taxa. Microbial eco…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Laura T. Leonard
creator: Eoin L. Brodie
creator: Kenneth H. Williams
creator: Jonathan O. Sharp
subject: Soil Science
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Biogeochemistry
subject: Environmental Impacts
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11926
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Leonard et al.
abstract: Increased drought and temperatures associated with climate change have implications for ecosystem stress with risk for enhanced carbon release in sensitive biomes. Litter decomposition is a key component of biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, but questions remain regarding the local response of decomposition processes to climate change. This is particularly complex in mountain ecosystems where the variable nature of the slope, aspect, soil type, and snowmelt dynamics play a role. Hence, the goal of this study was to determine the role of elevation, soil type, seasonal shifts in soil moisture, and snowmelt timing on litter decomposition processes. Experimental plots containing replicate deployments of harvested lodgepole and spruce needle litter alongside needle-free controls were established in open meadows at three elevations ranging from 2,800–3,500 m in Crested Butte, Colorado. Soil biogeochemistry variables including gas flux, porewater chemistry, and microbial ecology were monitored over three climatically variable years that shifted from high monsoon rains to drought. Results indicated that elevation and soil type influenced baseline soil biogeochemical indicators; however, needle mass loss and chemical composition were consistent across the 700 m elevation gradient. Rates of gas flux were analogously consistent across a 300 m elevation gradient. The additional variable of early snowmelt by 2–3 weeks had little impact on needle chemistry, microbial composition and gas flux; however, it did result in increased dissolved organic carbon in lodgepole porewater collections suggesting a potential for aqueous export. In contrast to elevation, needle presence and seasonal variability of soil moisture and temperature both played significant roles in soil carbon fluxes. During a pronounced period of lower moisture and higher temperatures, bacterial community diversity increased across elevation with new members supplanting more dominant taxa. Microbial eco…
bibliographic citation: Leonard et al. (2021) Effect of elevation, season and accelerated snowmelt on biogeochemical processes during isolated conifer needle litter decomposition. PeerJ 9:e11926 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11926
date submitted: 2021-04-13
date accepted: 2021-07-17
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Leonard
  given name: Laura T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Brodie
  given name: Eoin L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Williams
  given name: Kenneth H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sharp
  given name: Jonathan O.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11926
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Leonard et al.
attribution name: Leonard et al.

The nutritional applications of garlic (Allium sativum) as natural feed additives in animals
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Garlic (Allium sativum) is an essential vegetable that has been widely utilized as seasoning, flavoring, culinary and in herbal remedies. Garlic contains several characteristic organosulfur compounds, such as diallyl sulfide, allicin (diallyl thiosulphate), γ-glutamylcysteine, and S-allyl cysteine (alliin) and ajoene, which garlic has beneficial effects on inflammation, oxidative stress markers, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and endothelial function in vitro or in animal model. These bioactive molecules are also playing pivotal role in livestock and fisheries production apart from its application in humans. Supplementation of animal feed with garlic and its related products is consistent with the modern agricultural concept of organic animal husbandry. This review compiles the information describing the effects of feeding garlic and its extracts on selected performance parameters in animals (chicken, rabbits, ruminants, pigs and fish). This review may provide reference for scientists and entrepreneurs to investigate the applications of feeds added with garlic and allicin by-products for the improvement of animal husbandry and aquatic production.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jiashun Chen
creator: Fang Wang
creator: Yexin Yin
creator: Xiaokang Ma
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
subject: Veterinary Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11934
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Chen et al.
abstract: Garlic (Allium sativum) is an essential vegetable that has been widely utilized as seasoning, flavoring, culinary and in herbal remedies. Garlic contains several characteristic organosulfur compounds, such as diallyl sulfide, allicin (diallyl thiosulphate), γ-glutamylcysteine, and S-allyl cysteine (alliin) and ajoene, which garlic has beneficial effects on inflammation, oxidative stress markers, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and endothelial function in vitro or in animal model. These bioactive molecules are also playing pivotal role in livestock and fisheries production apart from its application in humans. Supplementation of animal feed with garlic and its related products is consistent with the modern agricultural concept of organic animal husbandry. This review compiles the information describing the effects of feeding garlic and its extracts on selected performance parameters in animals (chicken, rabbits, ruminants, pigs and fish). This review may provide reference for scientists and entrepreneurs to investigate the applications of feeds added with garlic and allicin by-products for the improvement of animal husbandry and aquatic production.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2021) The nutritional applications of garlic (Allium sativum) as natural feed additives in animals. PeerJ 9:e11934 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11934
date submitted: 2020-12-30
date accepted: 2021-07-19
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Jiashun
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Yexin
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Xiaokang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11934
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

The association of reactive balance control and spinal curvature under lumbar muscle fatigue
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Although low back fatigue is an important intervening factor for physical functioning among sedentary people, little is known about its possible significance in relation to the spinal posture and compensatory postural responses to unpredictable stimuli. This study investigates the effect of lumbar muscle fatigue on spinal curvature and reactive balance control in response to externally induced perturbations. Methods A group of 38 young sedentary individuals underwent a perturbation-based balance test by applying a 2 kg load release. Sagittal spinal curvature and pelvic tilt was measured in both a normal and Matthiass standing posture both with and without a hand-held 2 kg load, and before and after the Sørensen fatigue test. Results Both the peak anterior and peak posterior center of pressure (CoP) displacements and the corresponding time to peak anterior and peak posterior CoP displacements significantly increased after the Sørensen fatigue test (all at p < 0.001). A lumbar muscle fatigue led to a decrease of the lumbar lordosis in the Matthiass posture while holding a 2 kg load in front of the body when compared to pre-fatigue conditions both without a load (p = 0.011, d = 0.35) and with a 2 kg load (p = 0.000, d = 0.51). Also the sacral inclination in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load significantly decreased under fatigue when compared to all postures in pre-fatigue conditions (p = 0.01, d = 0.48). Contrary to pre-fatigue conditions, variables of the perturbation-based balance test were closely associated with those of lumbar curvature while standing in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load after the Sørensen fatigue test (r values in range from −0.520 to −0.631, all at p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that lumbar muscle fatigue causes changes in the lumbar spinal curvature and this is functionally relevant in explaining the impaired ability to maintain balance after externally induced perturbations. This emphas…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Erika Zemková
creator: Alena Cepková
creator: José M. Muyor
subject: Kinesiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11969
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Zemková et al.
abstract: Background Although low back fatigue is an important intervening factor for physical functioning among sedentary people, little is known about its possible significance in relation to the spinal posture and compensatory postural responses to unpredictable stimuli. This study investigates the effect of lumbar muscle fatigue on spinal curvature and reactive balance control in response to externally induced perturbations. Methods A group of 38 young sedentary individuals underwent a perturbation-based balance test by applying a 2 kg load release. Sagittal spinal curvature and pelvic tilt was measured in both a normal and Matthiass standing posture both with and without a hand-held 2 kg load, and before and after the Sørensen fatigue test. Results Both the peak anterior and peak posterior center of pressure (CoP) displacements and the corresponding time to peak anterior and peak posterior CoP displacements significantly increased after the Sørensen fatigue test (all at p < 0.001). A lumbar muscle fatigue led to a decrease of the lumbar lordosis in the Matthiass posture while holding a 2 kg load in front of the body when compared to pre-fatigue conditions both without a load (p = 0.011, d = 0.35) and with a 2 kg load (p = 0.000, d = 0.51). Also the sacral inclination in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load significantly decreased under fatigue when compared to all postures in pre-fatigue conditions (p = 0.01, d = 0.48). Contrary to pre-fatigue conditions, variables of the perturbation-based balance test were closely associated with those of lumbar curvature while standing in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load after the Sørensen fatigue test (r values in range from −0.520 to −0.631, all at p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that lumbar muscle fatigue causes changes in the lumbar spinal curvature and this is functionally relevant in explaining the impaired ability to maintain balance after externally induced perturbations. This emphas…
bibliographic citation: Zemková et al. (2021) The association of reactive balance control and spinal curvature under lumbar muscle fatigue. PeerJ 9:e11969 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11969
date submitted: 2020-12-23
date accepted: 2021-07-23
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zemková
  given name: Erika
author list: Agent
  family name: Cepková
  given name: Alena
author list: Agent
  family name: Muyor
  given name: José M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11969
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Zemková et al.
attribution name: Zemková et al.

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