title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=136 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: A plant-derived biostimulant Aminolom Enzimatico® application stimulates chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, stomata density and root yield of radishes under salinity stress link: https://peerj.com/articles/18804 last-modified: 2025-01-24 description: Biostimulants stimulate plant growth and tolerance to salinity stress, which creates unfavorable conditions for plant growth from emergence to harvest; however, little is known about their roles in triggering salt tolerance. Therefore, the study aimed to determine how applying a foliar plant-derived biostimulant (Aminolom Enzimatico® 24%) affects the growth (leaf area, biomass weight, root diameter, root fresh weight, and water-soluble dry matter), physiology (chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, cell membrane stability, and relative water content), and stomata of the lower and upper parts of leaves in radish plants (Raphanus sativus L.) under salinity stress. Radish plantlets at 7 d old were irrigated with saline water (i.e., 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl), and the biostimulant was sprayed twice at 7 d intervals. Under salinity stress, increased water-soluble dry matter content was detected, along with reduced plant biomass weight, root fresh weight, and root diameter. Meanwhile, the foliar biostimulant increased the mean root fresh weight, biomass fresh weight, and leaf area by 12%, 13.6%, and 24% compared to the control, respectively. Increasing NaCl dramatically reduced leaf area and relative water content, whereas chlorophyll content and stomata densities on both sides of the leaves improved. By regulating physiological parameters and thereby promoting root and leaf growth, the biostimulant application improved the radish plants’ tolerance to salinity stress up to 100 mM NaCl. Spraying the biostimulant can also boost plant growth, root yield, and radish quality under moderate salinity stress. creator: Gamze Kaya uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18804 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Kaya title: Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles: synthesis and optimization for long-term storage and effective delivery link: https://peerj.com/articles/18750 last-modified: 2025-01-24 description: BackgroundChitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) are an effective and inexpensive approach for DNA delivery into live cells. However, most CsNP synthesis protocols are not optimized to allow long-term storage of CsNPs without loss of function. Here, we describe a protocol for CsNP synthesis, lyophilization, and sonication, to store CsNPs and maintain transfection efficiency.MethodsThe size and zeta potential of CsNPs were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the morphology of CsNPs was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). HEK293 cells were transfected with CsNPs, and expression of H2B-CMV-mScarlet plasmid was assessed by flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize post-transfection gene expression. Time, volume, and effect of sonication were tested to optimize the lyophilization process.ResultsDLS and TEM analysis indicated amine groups on chitosan to phosphate groups on DNA (N:P) ratios yielded smaller CsNPs sizes. Transfection efficiency, measured by FACS and confocal microscopy, peaked at N:P ratios of 2:1 and 3:1 for both fresh and lyophilized CsNPs. Chitosan/DNA complexes remained stable in solution for at least 72 h at a ratio ≥2:1 as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. A lower surface charge with lower N:P ratios was indicated by zeta potential measurements. Lyophilized CsNPs lost 50% transfection efficiency compared to those freshly made. In contrast, sonication of lyophilized CsNPs restored their transfection efficiency to the level of fresh CsNPs. Sonicated CsNPs maintained spherical morphology, while unsonicated CsNPs showed aggregates. Cytotoxicity assays revealed high cell viability (>90%) after CsNPs transfection for a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1.ConclusionThis optimized CsNPs synthesis protocol opens the possibility of long-term storage for CsNPs, which would provide broader applications of this technology. creator: Aigul Raimbekova creator: Ulpan Kart creator: Akbayan Yerishova creator: Timur Elebessov creator: Sergey Yegorov creator: Tri Thanh Pham creator: Gonzalo Hortelano uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18750 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Raimbekova et al. title: Geochemical signatures and nanomechanical properties of echinoid tests from nearshore habitats of Florida: environmental and physiological controls on echinoid biomineralization link: https://peerj.com/articles/18688 last-modified: 2025-01-24 description: The mechanisms that regulate minor and trace element biomineralization in the echinoid skeleton can be primarily controlled biologically (i.e., by the organism and its vital effects) or by extrinsic environmental factors. Assessing the relative role of those controls is essential for understanding echinoid biomineralization, taphonomy, diagenesis, and their potential as geochemical archives. In this study, we (1) contrast geochemical signatures of specimens collected across multiple taxa and environmental settings to assess in situ the effects of environmental and physiological factors on skeletal biomineralogy; and (2) analyze the nanomechanical properties of the echinoid skeleton to assess potential linkages between magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios and skeletal nanohardness. Live specimens of sand dollars and sea biscuits (Mellita tenuis, Encope spp., Leodia sexiesperforata, and Clypeaster subdepressus) were collected from three different salinity regimes: (1) a coastal region of Cedar Key influenced by freshwater input from Suwannee River, with low and fluctuating salinity; (2) St. James Bay with less fluctuating, higher salinity; and (3) Florida Keys with stable, fully marine salinity conditions. No clear relationship was found between the bulk skeletal barium/calcium (Ba/Ca), zinc/calcium (Zn/Ca), sodium/calcium (Na/Ca), cadmium/calcium (Cd/Ca), copper/calcium (Cu/Ca), phosphorous/calcium (P/Ca), lead/calcium (Pb/Ca), boron/calcium (B/Ca), manganese/calcium (Mn/Ca) ratios pooled across all taxa. In contrast, bulk Mg/Ca, strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca), sulfur/calcium (S/Ca) and lithium/calcium (Li/Ca) ratios exhibited notable differences between the three regions, indicating that distribution of these elements can be at least partly influenced by environmental factors such as salinity. However, such patterns were highly variable across taxa and regions, indicating that both environmental and physiological factors influenced geochemical signatures to varying degrees, depending on the species and environmental setting. In addition, regardless of species identity, different types of stereom within single tests were characterized by distinct skeletal Mg/Ca ratios and nanohardness. The inner galleried and coarse labyrinthic stereom typically exhibited a lower Mg/Ca ratio and nanohardness than the outer imperforate stereom layer that locally forms tubercles. Such heterogeneity in Mg distribution within single specimens cannot be ascribed solely to environmental changes, indicating that these echinoids actively regulate their intraskeletal Mg content: the higher magnesium concentration at the tubercles relative to that of the underlying stereom may be interpreted as a strategy for enhancing their mechanical strength to withstand surface friction and wear. The results suggest that the trace element composition of echinoid tests is a complex outcome of environmental and physiological factors. creator: Przemysław Gorzelak creator: Luis Torres Jr. creator: Dorota Kołbuk creator: Tobias B. Grun creator: Michał Kowalewski uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18688 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 Gorzelak et al. title: Tea cultivation: facilitating soil organic carbon accumulation and altering soil bacterial community—Leishan County, Guizhou Province, Southwest China link: https://peerj.com/articles/18683 last-modified: 2025-01-24 description: BackgroundCamellia sinensis is an important cash crop in southwestern China, with soil organic carbon playing a vital role in soil fertility, and microorganisms contributing significantly to nutrient cycling, thus both of them influencing tea tree growth and development. However, existing studies primarily focus on soil organic carbon, neglecting carbon fractions, and the relationship between soil organic carbon fractions and microbial communities is unclear. Consequently, this study aims to clarify the impact of different tea planting durations on soil organic carbon fractions and microbial communities and identify the main factors influencing microbial communities. It provides a theoretical basis for soil quality evaluation in the study area and scientific guidance for tea plantation management, thus fostering the region’s economic sustainability.MethodsThis study selected tea plantations with different tea planting durations of 3–5 years (Y5), 12–16 years (Y15), 18–22 years (Y20), 40–42 years (Y40), and 48–50 years (Y50), as research subjects and adjacent uncultivated forest without a history of tea planting (CK) served as controls. Soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and bacterial diversity were measured in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers, respectively.ResultsCompared to the adjacent uncultivated forest (CK), the soil organic carbon (SOC), easily oxidizable carbon (EOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents in a 40-year tea plantation significantly increased. Nonetheless, the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content notably decreased. POC/SOC ratios rose with prolonged planting, signifying enhanced conversion of organic carbon into particulate forms. Bacterial community diversity peaked at 15 years and declined by 40 years post-planting and after tea planting dominated by Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota in the tea garden. FAPROTAX analysis highlighted aerobic and anaerobic chemoheterotrophy, cellulolysis, and nitrogen fixation as key bacterial functions. POC and MBC significantly influenced bacterial community structure. In conclusion, tea plantation soil exhibited the highest organic carbon content at 40 years of tea planting, indicating strong carbon accumulation capacity. However, soil acidification in the tea plantation may affect changes in organic carbon and bacterial community. Therefore, in the tea planting process, it is necessary to improve the management system of tea plantations to ensure the maintenance of a good ecological environment in the tea plantation soil, thus achieving sustainable development of the tea industry in the region. creator: Yingge Shu creator: Shan Xie creator: Hong Fan creator: Chun Duan creator: Yuansheng Liu creator: Zuyong Chen uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18683 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Shu et al. title: The influence of physical activity levels on lactate production during squat training using a functional electromechanical dynamometer link: https://peerj.com/articles/18215 last-modified: 2025-01-24 description: ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the association between changes in lactate production and levels of physical activity in a group of healthy young adults in response to two squat training protocols.Material and methodsTwenty-nine students majoring in Sports Science willingly participated in this study. Participants visited the lab four times within a two-week period, ensuring at least 48 h between visits. In each session, they completed three sets of 12 repetitions at 75% 1RM and three sets of 30 repetitions at 50% of maximum strength, with the order of protocols being randomized.ResultsIn the regression analysis, there was a significant positive association between lactate delta changes immediately post-squat at 50% of maximum strength at session 2 with the variable “sex: women” (β: 3.02, 95% CI [−0.18–0.30], p = 0.047) and BMI (kg/m2). Age exhibited a positive association (β: 0.19, 95% CI [0.02–0.36], p = 0.032) with lactate delta changes immediately post-squat at 75% of maximum strength at session 2. There was also a significant inverse association between lactate delta changes at 10 min post-squat test exercise at 75% of maximum strength at session 1 and 2, and vigorous physical activity (−0.01, 95% CI [−0.02–0.00], p = 0.046).ConclusionIn summary, this study provides valuable insights into the association between lactate production and physical activity levels in young, healthy adults undergoing different squat training protocols. These findings suggest that intense physical activity may be associated with lower lactate production, indicating greater metabolic efficiency. In addition, sex differences in metabolic responses were observed, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches in program design. creator: Indya del-Cuerpo creator: Daniel Jerez-Mayorga creator: Luis Javier Chirosa-Ríos creator: Felipe Caamaño-Navarrete creator: Pedro Delgado-Floody uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18215 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2025 del-Cuerpo et al. title: Analysing head and trunk motion in the judo osoto-gari technique: relationship to sweeping-leg velocity link: https://peerj.com/articles/18862 last-modified: 2025-01-23 description: BackgroundOsoto-gari is a leg throw technique that primarily relies on the hip extension to initiate the sweeping motion of the leg. A high sweep contact velocity is a crucial factor in efficiently executing this technique. While some literature emphasises whole-body coordination in the leg-sweeping action, the roles of trunk and head motion remain unclear. This study investigates head and trunk movements (including the pelvic and upper torso) contributing to higher leg-sweep velocities when executing the judo osoto-gari.MethodsKinematic data were collected from 17 male black-belt judokas using a motion capture system (250 Hz). Pearson product-moment correlation and stepwise linear regression were used to identify kinematic variables linked to the sweeping-leg velocity at sweep contact (SC).ResultsSix out of twenty-four variables correlated with sweeping-leg velocity at SC. A stepwise regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.53, p = 0.009) predicted sweeping-leg velocity based on head-tilt angle at maximum sweeping-leg height (MSH) and SC, head-tilt angular velocity at MSH, and trunk-tilt angular velocity at MSH.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate that (1) increasing the forward angle of the head aids the visual system in rapidly processing spatial information about the target position, thus facilitating the execution of the leg sweep, and (2) a greater forward-tilt rotation of the head, which leads to rapid trunk rotation, is conducive to enhancing sweeping-leg velocity. creator: Lingjun Liu creator: Tatsuya Deguchi creator: Mitsuhisa Shiokawa creator: Kazuto Hamaguchi creator: Masahiro Shinya uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18862 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Liu et al. title: The bacterial composition signatures of perianal abscess and origin of infecting microbes link: https://peerj.com/articles/18855 last-modified: 2025-01-23 description: BackgroundPerianal abscess is a common anal condition primarily caused by bacterial infections, yet the precise origins of these infecting bacteria remain unclear. Understanding the distinct microbial signatures associated with periaabscesses is crucial for provide fresh ideas for disease prevention.Materials and MethodsSamples of anal skin, feces, and abscesses were collected from a cohort of 75 patients diagnosed with perianal abscesses. The microbial composition at each site was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the bacterial communities present.ResultsAnalysis using MaAslin2 revealed distinct bacterial compositional signatures among the anal skin, feces, and abscess samples. Alpha diversity analysis indicated significant differences in bacterial diversity between abscesses, anal skin, and feces, with abscesses showing lower diversity compared to higher richness in feces. Biomarker analysis highlighted key taxa such as Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shisgella in fecal samples, and Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium in anal skin samples. The analysis of abscess samples suggested that the bacterial composition may originate from the skin, feces, and potentially other sources. creator: Song Han creator: Wenya Su creator: Kefeng Fan creator: Zhen Xu creator: Hai Xu creator: Mingyu Wang creator: Ling Li creator: Wenlong Shen uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18855 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Han et al. title: Evolutionary patterns of the SSU rRNA (V4 region) secondary structure in genus Euplotes (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea): insights into cryptic species and primitive traits link: https://peerj.com/articles/18852 last-modified: 2025-01-23 description: The genus Euplotes, a group of ciliated protists, has attracted attention as a model organism due to its widespread distribution and ease of cultivation. This study examines the evolutionary patterns of the SSU rRNA secondary structure within this genus, aiming to elucidate its role in supporting evolutionary relationships and uncovering cryptic species. By predicting the secondary structure of SSU rRNA and applying the CBC (Compensatory Base Change) concept analysis, we examined 69 species of the genus Euplotes, with 57 SSU rRNA gene sequences retrieved from GenBank and 12 newly sequenced specimens from South Korea. Our analysis revealed significant variations in the V4 region secondary structure, particularly in helix E23_8, across different clades of Euplotes. Reconstruction of the ancestral state indicated a transition from a simpler (Type I) to a more complex (Type II) secondary structure, with several species showing a reversal to Type I especially species in clade VI, suggesting of reverse evolution. In addition, our study identified cryptic species within Euplotes based on differences in the secondary structure of the V4 region, particularly evident in clade VI, where CBC analysis highlighted differences in E. minuta compared to E. vannus and E. crassus. These results highlight the utility of molecular data in refining species boundaries and evolutionary patterns within the genus Euplotes. creator: Ratih Kusuma Wardani creator: Ragib Ahsan creator: Mann Kyoon Shin uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18852 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Wardani et al. title: Re-evaluation of mastodon material from Oregon and Washington, USA, Alberta, Canada, and Hidalgo and Jalisco, Mexico link: https://peerj.com/articles/18848 last-modified: 2025-01-23 description: The presence of at least two contemporaneous Pleistocene mastodon taxa in North America (Mammut americanum and M. pacificus) invites re-examination of specimens at the geographic margins of each species in order to determine range boundaries, overlaps, and fluctuations. Third molars from Oregon in the United States, as well as from Hidalgo and Jalisco in Mexico, were found to be morphologically consistent with M. pacificus. Washington in the United States includes a number of specimens that could not be confidently assigned to either taxon. Alberta in Canada was found to have some specimens that were consistent with M. pacificus, but others that were identified as M. americanum. The Alberta specimen referred to M. pacificus is the same tooth found to have a Pliocene divergence time from M. americanum based on mitochondrial genome data from a previous study, suggesting a deep divergence time between the two taxa. The apparent presence of both mastodon taxa in close geographic proximity has interesting paleobiogeographic implications. It is not yet clear if both taxa were present simultaneously in a given location; if not, it suggests fluctuating ranges that may reflect shifting climates and/or biomes over time. Alternatively, if both taxa were simultaneously present in the same place, it may suggest a high degree of niche partitioning in mammutids. Additional accurately dated specimens will be required to resolve this question. creator: Alton C. Dooley creator: Chris Widga creator: Brittney E. Stoneburg creator: Christopher Jass creator: Victor M. Bravo-Cuevas creator: Andrew Boehm creator: Eric Scott creator: Andrew T. McDonald creator: Mark Volmut uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18848 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Dooley Jr et al. title: Deep water vetulicolians from the lower Cambrian of China link: https://peerj.com/articles/18864 last-modified: 2025-01-22 description: Vetulicolians are an enigmatic phylum of extinct Cambrian marine invertebrates. They are particularly diverse in the Chengjiang Biota of China, but representatives have been recovered from other Fossil-Lagerstätten (Cambrian Stage 3-Drumian). These organisms are characterized by a bipartite body, which is split into an anterior section and a posterior segmented section connected by a narrow constriction. Here we report new material of the genus Pomatrum from the Cambrian Balang Biota (Series 2, Stage 4) of Hunan, southern China. This is the first discovery of this vetulicolian outside of the Chengjiang Biota (Series 2, Stage 3) and the first report of vetulicolians from the Balang Biota. This finding not only suggests that this group had a wider spatial and temporal distribution than previously known, but also adds information to the overall biodiversity of the Balang Biota—one of the most important Stage 4 fossil deposits known from Gondwana. creator: Shuhan Ma creator: Julien Kimmig creator: James D. Schiffbauer creator: Ruibo Li creator: Shanchi Peng creator: Xianfeng Yang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18864 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2025 Ma et al.