PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: The predatory bug Orius strigicollis shows a preference for egg-laying sites based on plant topography
items: A simple mechanistic model of the invasive species Heracleum sosnowskyi propagule dispersal by wind
items: A star is torn—molecular analysis divides the Mediterranean population of Poli’s stellate barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus (Cirripedia, Chtamalidae)
items: Dose-response relationship among body mass index, abdominal adiposity and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 35 cohorts
items: The main stage of recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction: taxonomic rediversification and ecologic reorganization of marine level-bottom communities during the Middle Triassic
items: Effects of fertilizer and biochar applications on the relationship among soil moisture, temperature, and N2O emissions in farmland
items: Network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of muscone in Xingnaojing injections for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury
items: Interventions to improve the well-being of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review
items: Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature
items: Inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Poaceae): evidence from progeny array analysis

The predatory bug Orius strigicollis shows a preference for egg-laying sites based on plant topography
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Oviposition site selection is an important factor in determining the success of insect populations. Orius spp. are widely used in the biological control of a wide range of soft-bodied insect pests such as thrips, aphids, and mites. Orius strigicollis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is the dominant Orius species in southern China; however, what factor drives its selection of an oviposition site after mating currently remains unknown. Methods Here, kidney bean pods (KBPs) were chosen as the oviposition substrate, and choice and nonchoice experiments were conducted to determine the preferences concerning oviposition sites on the KBPs of O. strigicollis. The mechanism of oviposition behavior was revealed through observation and measurement of oviposition action, the egg hatching rate, and the oviposition time. Results We found that O. strigicollis preferred the seams of the pods for oviposition, especially the seams at the tips of the KBPs. Choice and nonchoice experiments showed that females did not lay eggs when the KBP tail parts were unavailable. The rates of egg hatching on different KBP parts were not significantly different, but the time required for females to lay eggs on the tip seam was significantly lower. Decreased oviposition time is achieved on the tip seam because the insect can exploit support points found there and gain leverage for insertion of the ovipositor. Discussion The preferences for oviposition sites of O. strigicollis are significantly influenced by the topography of the KBP surface. Revealing such behavior and mechanisms will provide an important scientific basis for the mass rearing of predatory bugs.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chendi Yu
creator: Jun Huang
creator: Xiaoyun Ren
creator: G Mandela Fernández-Grandon
creator: Xiaowei Li
creator: Muhammad Hafeez
creator: Yaobin Lu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11818
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Yu et al.
abstract: Background Oviposition site selection is an important factor in determining the success of insect populations. Orius spp. are widely used in the biological control of a wide range of soft-bodied insect pests such as thrips, aphids, and mites. Orius strigicollis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is the dominant Orius species in southern China; however, what factor drives its selection of an oviposition site after mating currently remains unknown. Methods Here, kidney bean pods (KBPs) were chosen as the oviposition substrate, and choice and nonchoice experiments were conducted to determine the preferences concerning oviposition sites on the KBPs of O. strigicollis. The mechanism of oviposition behavior was revealed through observation and measurement of oviposition action, the egg hatching rate, and the oviposition time. Results We found that O. strigicollis preferred the seams of the pods for oviposition, especially the seams at the tips of the KBPs. Choice and nonchoice experiments showed that females did not lay eggs when the KBP tail parts were unavailable. The rates of egg hatching on different KBP parts were not significantly different, but the time required for females to lay eggs on the tip seam was significantly lower. Decreased oviposition time is achieved on the tip seam because the insect can exploit support points found there and gain leverage for insertion of the ovipositor. Discussion The preferences for oviposition sites of O. strigicollis are significantly influenced by the topography of the KBP surface. Revealing such behavior and mechanisms will provide an important scientific basis for the mass rearing of predatory bugs.
bibliographic citation: Yu et al. (2021) The predatory bug Orius strigicollis shows a preference for egg-laying sites based on plant topography. PeerJ 9:e11818 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11818
date submitted: 2021-03-16
date accepted: 2021-06-29
issued: 2021-07-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Chendi
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Xiaoyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Fernández-Grandon
  given name: G Mandela
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xiaowei
author list: Agent
  family name: Hafeez
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Yaobin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11818
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-21
copyright: ©2021 Yu et al.
attribution name: Yu et al.

A simple mechanistic model of the invasive species Heracleum sosnowskyi propagule dispersal by wind
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Invasive species are one of the key elements of human-mediated ecosystem degradation and ecosystem services impairment worldwide. Dispersal of propagules is the first stage of plant species spread and strongly influences the dynamics of biological invasion. Therefore, distance prediction for invasive species spread is critical for invasion management. Heracleum sosnowskyi is one of the most dangerous invasive species with wind-dispersed propagules (seeds) across Eastern Europe. This study developed a simple mechanistic model for H. sosnowskyi propagule dispersal and their distances with an accuracy comparable to that of empirical measurements. Methods We measured and compared the propagule traits (terminal velocity, mass, area, and wing loading) and release height for H. sosnowskyi populations from two geographically distant regions of European Russia. We tested two simple mechanistic models: a ballistic model and a wind gradient model using identical artificial propagules. The artificial propagules were made of colored paper with a mass, area, wing loading, and terminal velocity close to those of natural H. sosnowskyi mericarps. Results The wind gradient model produced the best results. The first calculations of maximum possible propagule transfer distance by wind using the model and data from weather stations showed that the role of wind as a vector of long-distance dispersal for invasive Heracleum species was strongly underestimated. The published dataset with H. sosnowskyi propagule traits and release heights allows for modeling of the propagules’ dispersal distances by wind at any geographical point within their entire invasion range using data from the closest weather stations. The proposed simple model for the prediction of H. sosnowskyi propagule dispersal by wind may be included in planning processes for managing invasion of this species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ivan Chadin
creator: Igor Dalke
creator: Denis Tishin
creator: Ilya Zakhozhiy
creator: Ruslan Malyshev
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11821
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Chadin et al.
abstract: Background Invasive species are one of the key elements of human-mediated ecosystem degradation and ecosystem services impairment worldwide. Dispersal of propagules is the first stage of plant species spread and strongly influences the dynamics of biological invasion. Therefore, distance prediction for invasive species spread is critical for invasion management. Heracleum sosnowskyi is one of the most dangerous invasive species with wind-dispersed propagules (seeds) across Eastern Europe. This study developed a simple mechanistic model for H. sosnowskyi propagule dispersal and their distances with an accuracy comparable to that of empirical measurements. Methods We measured and compared the propagule traits (terminal velocity, mass, area, and wing loading) and release height for H. sosnowskyi populations from two geographically distant regions of European Russia. We tested two simple mechanistic models: a ballistic model and a wind gradient model using identical artificial propagules. The artificial propagules were made of colored paper with a mass, area, wing loading, and terminal velocity close to those of natural H. sosnowskyi mericarps. Results The wind gradient model produced the best results. The first calculations of maximum possible propagule transfer distance by wind using the model and data from weather stations showed that the role of wind as a vector of long-distance dispersal for invasive Heracleum species was strongly underestimated. The published dataset with H. sosnowskyi propagule traits and release heights allows for modeling of the propagules’ dispersal distances by wind at any geographical point within their entire invasion range using data from the closest weather stations. The proposed simple model for the prediction of H. sosnowskyi propagule dispersal by wind may be included in planning processes for managing invasion of this species.
bibliographic citation: Chadin et al. (2021) A simple mechanistic model of the invasive species Heracleum sosnowskyi propagule dispersal by wind. PeerJ 9:e11821 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11821
date submitted: 2021-03-03
date accepted: 2021-06-29
issued: 2021-07-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chadin
  given name: Ivan
author list: Agent
  family name: Dalke
  given name: Igor
author list: Agent
  family name: Tishin
  given name: Denis
author list: Agent
  family name: Zakhozhiy
  given name: Ilya
author list: Agent
  family name: Malyshev
  given name: Ruslan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11821
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-21
copyright: ©2021 Chadin et al.
attribution name: Chadin et al.

A star is torn—molecular analysis divides the Mediterranean population of Poli’s stellate barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus (Cirripedia, Chtamalidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Poli’s stellate barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus Poli, populates the Mediterranean Sea, the North-Eastern Atlantic coasts, and the offshore Eastern Atlantic islands. Previous studies have found apparent genetic differences between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean populations of C. stellatus, suggesting possible geological and oceanographic explanations for these differences. We have studied the genetic diversity of 14 populations spanning from the Eastern Atlantic to the Eastern Mediterranean, using two nuclear genes sequences revealing a total of 63 polymorphic sites. Both genotype-based, haplotype-based and the novel SNP distribution population-based methods have found that these populations represent a geographic cline along the west to east localities. The differences in SNP distribution among populations further separates a major western cluster into two smaller clusters, the Eastern Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean. It also separates the major eastern cluster into two smaller clusters, the Mid-Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean. We suggested here environmental conditions like surface currents, water salinity and temperature as probable factors that have formed the population structure. We demonstrate that C. stellatus is a suitable model organism for studying how geological events and hydrographic conditions shape the fauna in the Mediterranean Sea.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yaron Tikochinski
creator: Sharon Tamir
creator: Noa Simon-Blecher
creator: Uzi Motro
creator: Yair Achituv
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11826
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Tikochinski et al.
abstract: Poli’s stellate barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus Poli, populates the Mediterranean Sea, the North-Eastern Atlantic coasts, and the offshore Eastern Atlantic islands. Previous studies have found apparent genetic differences between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean populations of C. stellatus, suggesting possible geological and oceanographic explanations for these differences. We have studied the genetic diversity of 14 populations spanning from the Eastern Atlantic to the Eastern Mediterranean, using two nuclear genes sequences revealing a total of 63 polymorphic sites. Both genotype-based, haplotype-based and the novel SNP distribution population-based methods have found that these populations represent a geographic cline along the west to east localities. The differences in SNP distribution among populations further separates a major western cluster into two smaller clusters, the Eastern Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean. It also separates the major eastern cluster into two smaller clusters, the Mid-Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean. We suggested here environmental conditions like surface currents, water salinity and temperature as probable factors that have formed the population structure. We demonstrate that C. stellatus is a suitable model organism for studying how geological events and hydrographic conditions shape the fauna in the Mediterranean Sea.
bibliographic citation: Tikochinski et al. (2021) A star is torn—molecular analysis divides the Mediterranean population of Poli’s stellate barnacle, Chthamalus stellatus (Cirripedia, Chtamalidae). PeerJ 9:e11826 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11826
date submitted: 2021-03-30
date accepted: 2021-06-30
issued: 2021-07-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tikochinski
  given name: Yaron
author list: Agent
  family name: Tamir
  given name: Sharon
author list: Agent
  family name: Simon-Blecher
  given name: Noa
author list: Agent
  family name: Motro
  given name: Uzi
author list: Agent
  family name: Achituv
  given name: Yair
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11826
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-21
copyright: ©2021 Tikochinski et al.
attribution name: Tikochinski et al.

Dose-response relationship among body mass index, abdominal adiposity and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 35 cohorts
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Whether overweight increases the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is unclear, and whether adiposity independently contributes to POAF has not been comprehensively studied. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the strength and shape of the exposure-effect relationship between adiposity and POAF. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched for revelant studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and nest-case control studies) reporting data regarding the relationship between adiposity and the risk of POAF. Results Thirty-five publications involving 33,271 cases/141,442 patients were included. Analysis of categorical variables showed that obesity (RR: 1.39, 95% CI [1.21–1.61]; P < 0.001), but not being underweight (RR: 1.44, 95% CI [0.90–2.30]; P = 0.13) or being overweight (RR: 1.03, 95% CI [0.95–1.11]; P = 0.48) was associated with an increased risk of POAF. In the exposure-effect analysis (BMI) was 1.09 (95% CI [1.05–1.12]; P < 0.001) for the risk of POAF. There was a significant linear relationship between BMI and POAF (Pnonlinearity = 0.44); the curve was flat and began to rise steeply at a BMI of approximately 30. Notably, BMI levels below 30 (overweight) were not associated with a higher risk of POAF. Additionally, waist obesity or visceral adiposity index was associated with the risk of POAF. Conclusion Based on the current evidence, our findings showed that high body mass index or abdominal adiposity was independently associated with an increased risk of POAF, while underweight or overweight might not significantly increase the POAF risk.
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format: text/html
creator: Menglu Liu
creator: Kaibo Mei
creator: Lixia Xie
creator: Jianyong Ma
creator: Peng Yu
creator: Siquan Niu
creator: Ya Xu
creator: Yujie Zhao
creator: Xiao Liu
subject: Cardiology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Internal Medicine
subject: Nutrition
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11855
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Background Whether overweight increases the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is unclear, and whether adiposity independently contributes to POAF has not been comprehensively studied. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the strength and shape of the exposure-effect relationship between adiposity and POAF. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched for revelant studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and nest-case control studies) reporting data regarding the relationship between adiposity and the risk of POAF. Results Thirty-five publications involving 33,271 cases/141,442 patients were included. Analysis of categorical variables showed that obesity (RR: 1.39, 95% CI [1.21–1.61]; P < 0.001), but not being underweight (RR: 1.44, 95% CI [0.90–2.30]; P = 0.13) or being overweight (RR: 1.03, 95% CI [0.95–1.11]; P = 0.48) was associated with an increased risk of POAF. In the exposure-effect analysis (BMI) was 1.09 (95% CI [1.05–1.12]; P < 0.001) for the risk of POAF. There was a significant linear relationship between BMI and POAF (Pnonlinearity = 0.44); the curve was flat and began to rise steeply at a BMI of approximately 30. Notably, BMI levels below 30 (overweight) were not associated with a higher risk of POAF. Additionally, waist obesity or visceral adiposity index was associated with the risk of POAF. Conclusion Based on the current evidence, our findings showed that high body mass index or abdominal adiposity was independently associated with an increased risk of POAF, while underweight or overweight might not significantly increase the POAF risk.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) Dose-response relationship among body mass index, abdominal adiposity and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 35 cohorts. PeerJ 9:e11855 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11855
date submitted: 2020-12-23
date accepted: 2021-07-04
issued: 2021-07-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Menglu
author list: Agent
  family name: Mei
  given name: Kaibo
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Lixia
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Jianyong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Peng
author list: Agent
  family name: Niu
  given name: Siquan
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Ya
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Yujie
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Xiao
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11855
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-21
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

The main stage of recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction: taxonomic rediversification and ecologic reorganization of marine level-bottom communities during the Middle Triassic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The recovery of marine life from the end-Permian mass extinction event provides a test-case for biodiversification models in general, but few studies have addressed this episode in its full length and ecological context. This study analyses the recovery of marine level-bottom communities from the end-Permian mass extinction event over a period of 15 Ma, with a main focus on the previously neglected main phase during the Middle Triassic. Our analyses are based on faunas from 37 lithological units representing different environmental settings, ranging from lagoons to inner, mid- and outer ramps. Our dataset comprises 1562 species, which belong to 13 higher taxa and 12 ecological guilds. The diversification pattern of most taxa and guilds shows an initial Early Triassic lag phase that is followed by a hyperbolic diversity increase during the Bithynian (early middle Anisian) and became damped later in the Middle Triassic. The hyperbolic diversity increase is not predicted by models that suggest environmental causes for the initial lag phase. We therefore advocate a model in which diversification is primarily driven by the intensity of biotic interactions. Accordingly, the Early Triassic lag phase represents the time when the reduced species richness in the wake of the end-Permian mass extinction was insufficient for stimulating major diversifications, whereas the Anisian main diversification event started when self-accelerating processes became effective and stopped when niche-crowding prevented further diversification. Biotic interactions that might drive this pattern include interspecific competition but also habitat construction, ecosystem engineering and new options for trophic relationships. The latter factors are discussed in the context of the resurgence of large carbonate platforms, which occurred simultaneously with the diversification of benthic communities. These did not only provide new hardground habitats for a variety of epifaunal taxa, but also new option…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Evelyn Friesenbichler
creator: Michael Hautmann
creator: Hugo Bucher
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11654
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Friesenbichler et al.
abstract: The recovery of marine life from the end-Permian mass extinction event provides a test-case for biodiversification models in general, but few studies have addressed this episode in its full length and ecological context. This study analyses the recovery of marine level-bottom communities from the end-Permian mass extinction event over a period of 15 Ma, with a main focus on the previously neglected main phase during the Middle Triassic. Our analyses are based on faunas from 37 lithological units representing different environmental settings, ranging from lagoons to inner, mid- and outer ramps. Our dataset comprises 1562 species, which belong to 13 higher taxa and 12 ecological guilds. The diversification pattern of most taxa and guilds shows an initial Early Triassic lag phase that is followed by a hyperbolic diversity increase during the Bithynian (early middle Anisian) and became damped later in the Middle Triassic. The hyperbolic diversity increase is not predicted by models that suggest environmental causes for the initial lag phase. We therefore advocate a model in which diversification is primarily driven by the intensity of biotic interactions. Accordingly, the Early Triassic lag phase represents the time when the reduced species richness in the wake of the end-Permian mass extinction was insufficient for stimulating major diversifications, whereas the Anisian main diversification event started when self-accelerating processes became effective and stopped when niche-crowding prevented further diversification. Biotic interactions that might drive this pattern include interspecific competition but also habitat construction, ecosystem engineering and new options for trophic relationships. The latter factors are discussed in the context of the resurgence of large carbonate platforms, which occurred simultaneously with the diversification of benthic communities. These did not only provide new hardground habitats for a variety of epifaunal taxa, but also new option…
bibliographic citation: Friesenbichler et al. (2021) The main stage of recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction: taxonomic rediversification and ecologic reorganization of marine level-bottom communities during the Middle Triassic. PeerJ 9:e11654 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11654
date submitted: 2020-10-29
date accepted: 2021-05-31
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Friesenbichler
  given name: Evelyn
author list: Agent
  family name: Hautmann
  given name: Michael
author list: Agent
  family name: Bucher
  given name: Hugo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11654
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: ©2021 Friesenbichler et al.
attribution name: Friesenbichler et al.

Effects of fertilizer and biochar applications on the relationship among soil moisture, temperature, and N2O emissions in farmland
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Di-nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions from soil may lead to nonpoint-source pollution in farmland. Improving the C and N content in the soil is an excellent strategy to reduce N2O emission and mitigate soil N loss. However, this method lacks a unified mathematical index or standard to evaluate its effect. Methods To quantify the impact of soil improvement (C and N) on N2O emissions, we conducted a 2-year field experiment using biochar as carbon source and fertilizer as nitrogen source, setting three treatments (fertilization (300 kg N ha−1), fertilization + biochar (30 t ha−1), control). Results Results indicate that after biochar application, the average soil water content above 20 cm increased by ∼26% and 26.92% in 2019, and ∼10% and 12.49% in 2020. The average soil temperature above 20 cm also increased by ∼2% and 3.41% in 2019. Fertigation significantly promotes the soil N2O emissions, and biochar application indeed inhibited the cumulation by approximately 52.4% in 2019 and 33.9% in 2020, respectively. N2O emissions strongly depend on the deep soil moisture and temperature (20–80 cm), in addition to the surface soil moisture and temperature (0–20 cm). Therefore, we established an exponential model between the soil moisture and N2O emissions based on theoretical analysis. We find that the N2O emissions exponentially increase with increasing soil moisture regardless of fertilization or biochar application. Furthermore, the coefficient a < 0 means that N2O emissions initially increase and then decrease. The aRU < aCK indicates that fertilization does promote the rate of N2O emissions, and the aBRU > aRU indicates that biochar application mitigates this rate induced by fertilization. This conclusion can be verified by the sensitivity coefficient (SCB of 1.02 and 14.74; SCU of 19.18 and 20.83). Thus, we believe the model can quantify the impact of soil C and N changes on N2O emissions. We can conclude that biochar does significantly reduce N2O emissions from …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiao Wang
creator: Ping Lu
creator: Peiling Yang
creator: Shumei Ren
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11674
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Wang et al.
abstract: Background Di-nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions from soil may lead to nonpoint-source pollution in farmland. Improving the C and N content in the soil is an excellent strategy to reduce N2O emission and mitigate soil N loss. However, this method lacks a unified mathematical index or standard to evaluate its effect. Methods To quantify the impact of soil improvement (C and N) on N2O emissions, we conducted a 2-year field experiment using biochar as carbon source and fertilizer as nitrogen source, setting three treatments (fertilization (300 kg N ha−1), fertilization + biochar (30 t ha−1), control). Results Results indicate that after biochar application, the average soil water content above 20 cm increased by ∼26% and 26.92% in 2019, and ∼10% and 12.49% in 2020. The average soil temperature above 20 cm also increased by ∼2% and 3.41% in 2019. Fertigation significantly promotes the soil N2O emissions, and biochar application indeed inhibited the cumulation by approximately 52.4% in 2019 and 33.9% in 2020, respectively. N2O emissions strongly depend on the deep soil moisture and temperature (20–80 cm), in addition to the surface soil moisture and temperature (0–20 cm). Therefore, we established an exponential model between the soil moisture and N2O emissions based on theoretical analysis. We find that the N2O emissions exponentially increase with increasing soil moisture regardless of fertilization or biochar application. Furthermore, the coefficient a < 0 means that N2O emissions initially increase and then decrease. The aRU < aCK indicates that fertilization does promote the rate of N2O emissions, and the aBRU > aRU indicates that biochar application mitigates this rate induced by fertilization. This conclusion can be verified by the sensitivity coefficient (SCB of 1.02 and 14.74; SCU of 19.18 and 20.83). Thus, we believe the model can quantify the impact of soil C and N changes on N2O emissions. We can conclude that biochar does significantly reduce N2O emissions from …
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2021) Effects of fertilizer and biochar applications on the relationship among soil moisture, temperature, and N2O emissions in farmland. PeerJ 9:e11674 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11674
date submitted: 2020-12-16
date accepted: 2021-06-04
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Ping
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Peiling
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Shumei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11674
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: ©2021 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of muscone in Xingnaojing injections for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Xingnaojing injections (XNJI) are widely used in Chinese medicine to mitigate brain injuries. An increasing number of studies have shown that XNJI may improve neurological function. However, XNJI’s active ingredients and molecular mechanisms when treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are unknown. Methods XNJI’s chemical composition was acquisited from literature and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. We used the “absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion” (ADME) parameter-based virtual algorithm to further identify the bioactive components. We then screened data and obtained target information regarding TBI and treatment compounds from public databases. Using a Venn diagram, we intersected the information to determine the hub targets. Cytoscape was used to construct and visualize the network. In accordance with the hub proteins, we then created a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING 11.0. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed according to the DAVID bioinformatics resource database (ver. 6.8). We validated the predicted compound’s efficacy using the experimental rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. The neuronal apoptosis was located using the TUNEL assay and the related pathways’ hub proteins were determined by PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Results We identified 173 targets and 35 potential compounds belonging to XNJI. STRING analysis was used to illustrate the protein–protein interactions and show that muscone played a fundamental role in XNJI’s efficacy. Enrichment analysis revealed critical signaling pathways in these components’ potential protein targets, including PI3K/AKT1, NF-kB, and p53. Moreover, the hub proteins CASP3, BCL2L1, and CASP8 were also involved in apoptosis and were associated with PI3K/AKT, NF-kB, and p53 signaling pathways. We showed that muscone and XNJI were similarly effective 1…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zhuohang Liu
creator: Hang Li
creator: Wenchao Ma
creator: Shuyi Pan
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Neurology
subject: Pathology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11696
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Background Xingnaojing injections (XNJI) are widely used in Chinese medicine to mitigate brain injuries. An increasing number of studies have shown that XNJI may improve neurological function. However, XNJI’s active ingredients and molecular mechanisms when treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are unknown. Methods XNJI’s chemical composition was acquisited from literature and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. We used the “absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion” (ADME) parameter-based virtual algorithm to further identify the bioactive components. We then screened data and obtained target information regarding TBI and treatment compounds from public databases. Using a Venn diagram, we intersected the information to determine the hub targets. Cytoscape was used to construct and visualize the network. In accordance with the hub proteins, we then created a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING 11.0. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed according to the DAVID bioinformatics resource database (ver. 6.8). We validated the predicted compound’s efficacy using the experimental rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. The neuronal apoptosis was located using the TUNEL assay and the related pathways’ hub proteins were determined by PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Results We identified 173 targets and 35 potential compounds belonging to XNJI. STRING analysis was used to illustrate the protein–protein interactions and show that muscone played a fundamental role in XNJI’s efficacy. Enrichment analysis revealed critical signaling pathways in these components’ potential protein targets, including PI3K/AKT1, NF-kB, and p53. Moreover, the hub proteins CASP3, BCL2L1, and CASP8 were also involved in apoptosis and were associated with PI3K/AKT, NF-kB, and p53 signaling pathways. We showed that muscone and XNJI were similarly effective 1…
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) Network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of muscone in Xingnaojing injections for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury. PeerJ 9:e11696 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11696
date submitted: 2020-09-10
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Zhuohang
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Hang
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Wenchao
author list: Agent
  family name: Pan
  given name: Shuyi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11696
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

Interventions to improve the well-being of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically experience higher burden than the general population because of the nature of tasks these caregivers need to carry out as a part of homecare. This fact influences both the caregivers’ quality of life and the quality of their care toward the patient. Thus, this study aimed to review the effectiveness and limitations of interventions in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients on HD and PD. Methodology A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 5.1.0). The Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, MEDLINE, VHL Regional Portal, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched queried for randomized controlled trials that developed interventions aimed at improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD and/or PD from 2009 to 2020. The study protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration no. CRD42020151161). Results Six studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which addressed caregivers of patients undergoing HD. All interventions reported in the included studies were carried out in group sessions, which addressed topics such as patient assistance and care, treatment complications, coping strategies, caregiver self-care practices, problem solving, and self-efficacy. The studies found significant improvement in the caregiver’s well-being. Conclusions Group session interventions are effective in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD. In regard to PD, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for caregivers of patients with this treatment.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ana Carolina Hovadick
creator: Viviane Rodrigues Jardim
creator: Constança Paúl
creator: Adriana Pagano
creator: Ilka Reis
creator: Heloisa Torres
subject: Nephrology
subject: Nursing
subject: Public Health
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11713
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Hovadick et al.
abstract: Background The family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically experience higher burden than the general population because of the nature of tasks these caregivers need to carry out as a part of homecare. This fact influences both the caregivers’ quality of life and the quality of their care toward the patient. Thus, this study aimed to review the effectiveness and limitations of interventions in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients on HD and PD. Methodology A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 5.1.0). The Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, MEDLINE, VHL Regional Portal, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched queried for randomized controlled trials that developed interventions aimed at improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD and/or PD from 2009 to 2020. The study protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration no. CRD42020151161). Results Six studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which addressed caregivers of patients undergoing HD. All interventions reported in the included studies were carried out in group sessions, which addressed topics such as patient assistance and care, treatment complications, coping strategies, caregiver self-care practices, problem solving, and self-efficacy. The studies found significant improvement in the caregiver’s well-being. Conclusions Group session interventions are effective in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD. In regard to PD, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for caregivers of patients with this treatment.
bibliographic citation: Hovadick et al. (2021) Interventions to improve the well-being of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review. PeerJ 9:e11713 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11713
date submitted: 2020-04-02
date accepted: 2021-06-10
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hovadick
  given name: Ana Carolina
author list: Agent
  family name: Jardim
  given name: Viviane Rodrigues
author list: Agent
  family name: Paúl
  given name: Constança
author list: Agent
  family name: Pagano
  given name: Adriana
author list: Agent
  family name: Reis
  given name: Ilka
author list: Agent
  family name: Torres
  given name: Heloisa
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11713
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: © 2021 Hovadick et al.
attribution name: Hovadick et al.

Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Reptiles are the most species-rich terrestrial vertebrate group with a broad diversity of life history traits. Biotelemetry is an essential methodology for studying reptiles as it compensates for several limitations when studying their natural history. We evaluated trends in terrestrial reptile spatial ecology studies focusing upon quantifying home ranges for the past twenty years. We assessed 290 English-language reptile home range studies published from 2000–2019 via a structured literature review investigating publications’ study location, taxonomic group, methodology, reporting, and analytical techniques. Substantial biases remain in both location and taxonomic groups in the literature, with nearly half of all studies (45%) originating from the USA. Snakes were most often studied, and crocodiles were least often studied, while testudines tended to have the greatest within study sample sizes. More than half of all studies lacked critical methodological details, limiting the number of studies for inclusion in future meta-analyses (55% of studies lacked information on individual tracking durations, and 51% lacked sufficient information on the number of times researchers recorded positions). Studies continue to rely on outdated methods to quantify space-use (including Minimum Convex Polygons and Kernel Density Estimators), often failing to report subtleties regarding decisions that have substantial impact on home range area estimates. Moving forward researchers can select a suite of appropriate analytical techniques tailored to their research question (dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models for within sample interpolation, and autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimators for beyond sample extrapolation). Only 1.4% of all evaluated studies linked to available and usable telemetry data, further hindering scientific consensus. We ultimately implore herpetologists to adopt transparent reporting practices and make liberal use of open data platforms to maximize progress in t…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Matthew Crane
creator: Inês Silva
creator: Benjamin M. Marshall
creator: Colin T. Strine
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11742
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Crane et al.
abstract: Reptiles are the most species-rich terrestrial vertebrate group with a broad diversity of life history traits. Biotelemetry is an essential methodology for studying reptiles as it compensates for several limitations when studying their natural history. We evaluated trends in terrestrial reptile spatial ecology studies focusing upon quantifying home ranges for the past twenty years. We assessed 290 English-language reptile home range studies published from 2000–2019 via a structured literature review investigating publications’ study location, taxonomic group, methodology, reporting, and analytical techniques. Substantial biases remain in both location and taxonomic groups in the literature, with nearly half of all studies (45%) originating from the USA. Snakes were most often studied, and crocodiles were least often studied, while testudines tended to have the greatest within study sample sizes. More than half of all studies lacked critical methodological details, limiting the number of studies for inclusion in future meta-analyses (55% of studies lacked information on individual tracking durations, and 51% lacked sufficient information on the number of times researchers recorded positions). Studies continue to rely on outdated methods to quantify space-use (including Minimum Convex Polygons and Kernel Density Estimators), often failing to report subtleties regarding decisions that have substantial impact on home range area estimates. Moving forward researchers can select a suite of appropriate analytical techniques tailored to their research question (dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models for within sample interpolation, and autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimators for beyond sample extrapolation). Only 1.4% of all evaluated studies linked to available and usable telemetry data, further hindering scientific consensus. We ultimately implore herpetologists to adopt transparent reporting practices and make liberal use of open data platforms to maximize progress in t…
bibliographic citation: Crane et al. (2021) Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature. PeerJ 9:e11742 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11742
date submitted: 2020-12-10
date accepted: 2021-06-17
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Crane
  given name: Matthew
author list: Agent
  family name: Silva
  given name: Inês
author list: Agent
  family name: Marshall
  given name: Benjamin M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Strine
  given name: Colin T.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11742
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: ©2021 Crane et al.
attribution name: Crane et al.

Inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Poaceae): evidence from progeny array analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Heat stress is considered one of the most important environmental factors influencing plant physiology, growth, development, and reproductive output. The occurrence and damage caused by heat stress will likely increase with global climate change. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the genetic basis of heat tolerance, especially in cool season plants. Materials and Methods In this study, we assessed the inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. subspecies perenne) , a cool season grass, through a comparison of two parental cultivars with their offspring. We crossed plants of a heat tolerant cultivar (Kangaroo Valley) with plants of a heat sensitive cultivar (Norlea), to generate 72 F1 hybrid progeny arrays. Both parents and their progeny were then exposed to heat stress for 40 days, and their photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm values) and leaf H2O2 content were measured. Results As expected, Kangaroo Valley had significantly higher Fv/Fm values and significantly lower H2O2 concentrations than Norlea. For the F1 progeny arrays, values of Fv/Fm decreased gradually with increasing exposure to heat stress, while the content of H2O 2 increased. The progeny had a wide distribution of Fv/Fm and H 2O2 values at 40 days of heat stress. Approximately 95% of the 72 F1 progeny arrays had Fv/Fm values that were equal to or intermediate to the values of the two parental cultivars and 68% of the progeny arrays had H2O2 concentrations equal to or intermediate to their two parents. Conclusion Results of this study indicate considerable additive genetic variation for heat tolerance among the 72 progeny arrays generated from these crosses, and such diversity can be used to improve heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass cultivars. Our findings point to the benefits of combining physiological measurements within a genetic framework to assess the inheritance of heat tolerance, a complex plant response.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Wagdi S. Soliman
creator: Ahmed M. Abbas
creator: Stephen J. Novak
creator: Masahiro Fujimori
creator: Kazuhiro Tase
creator: Shu-ichi Sugiyama
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Genetics
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11782
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Soliman et al.
abstract: Background Heat stress is considered one of the most important environmental factors influencing plant physiology, growth, development, and reproductive output. The occurrence and damage caused by heat stress will likely increase with global climate change. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the genetic basis of heat tolerance, especially in cool season plants. Materials and Methods In this study, we assessed the inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. subspecies perenne) , a cool season grass, through a comparison of two parental cultivars with their offspring. We crossed plants of a heat tolerant cultivar (Kangaroo Valley) with plants of a heat sensitive cultivar (Norlea), to generate 72 F1 hybrid progeny arrays. Both parents and their progeny were then exposed to heat stress for 40 days, and their photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm values) and leaf H2O2 content were measured. Results As expected, Kangaroo Valley had significantly higher Fv/Fm values and significantly lower H2O2 concentrations than Norlea. For the F1 progeny arrays, values of Fv/Fm decreased gradually with increasing exposure to heat stress, while the content of H2O 2 increased. The progeny had a wide distribution of Fv/Fm and H 2O2 values at 40 days of heat stress. Approximately 95% of the 72 F1 progeny arrays had Fv/Fm values that were equal to or intermediate to the values of the two parental cultivars and 68% of the progeny arrays had H2O2 concentrations equal to or intermediate to their two parents. Conclusion Results of this study indicate considerable additive genetic variation for heat tolerance among the 72 progeny arrays generated from these crosses, and such diversity can be used to improve heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass cultivars. Our findings point to the benefits of combining physiological measurements within a genetic framework to assess the inheritance of heat tolerance, a complex plant response.
bibliographic citation: Soliman et al. (2021) Inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Poaceae): evidence from progeny array analysis. PeerJ 9:e11782 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11782
date submitted: 2020-09-10
date accepted: 2021-06-24
issued: 2021-07-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Soliman
  given name: Wagdi S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Abbas
  given name: Ahmed M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Novak
  given name: Stephen J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fujimori
  given name: Masahiro
author list: Agent
  family name: Tase
  given name: Kazuhiro
author list: Agent
  family name: Sugiyama
  given name: Shu-ichi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11782
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-07-20
copyright: ©2021 Soliman et al.
attribution name: Soliman et al.

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