title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=1943 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Transgenic LRRK2R1441G rats–a model for Parkinson disease? link: https://peerj.com/articles/945 last-modified: 2015-05-12 description: Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder, characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. While the cause of this disease is largely unknown, a rare autosomal dominant familial form of PD is caused by a genetic mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene that presumably leads to a gain-of-function of LRRK2 kinase activity. Here, we explored the potential of over expression of this human gene in a new transgenic rat model to serve as an animal model for PD. Commercially available BAC transgenic rats expressing human LRRK2 with the familial PD mutation, R1441G, and their wild-type siblings were tested for deficits in motor function, sensorimotor gating, and higher cognitive function reminiscent of PD through the ages of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. At 12 months of age, rats were exposed to intraperitoneal injections of the environmental toxin Paraquat or saline. Our results indicate that LRRK2R1441G transgenic rats do not show signs of neurodegeneration and do not develop significant motor or cognitive deficits until the age of 16 months. In addition, LRRK2R1441G transgenic rats did not show increased vulnerability to sub-toxic doses of Paraquat. Gene expression studies indicate that despite genomic presence and initial expression of the transgene, its expression was greatly reduced in our aged rats. We conclude that the transgenic LRRK2R1441G rat is not a valid model for studying the pathology of PD and discuss this in relation to other transgenic rat models. creator: Komal T. Shaikh creator: Alvin Yang creator: Ekaterina Youshin creator: Susanne Schmid uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.945 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Shaikh et al. title: The diversity of membrane transporters encoded in bacterial arsenic-resistance operons link: https://peerj.com/articles/943 last-modified: 2015-05-12 description: Transporter-facilitated arsenite extrusion is the major pathway of arsenic resistance within bacteria. So far only two types of membrane-bound transporter proteins, ArsB and ArsY (ACR3), have been well studied, although the arsenic transporters in bacteria display considerable diversity. Utilizing accumulated genome sequence data, we searched arsenic resistance (ars) operons in about 2,500 bacterial strains and located over 700 membrane-bound transporters which are encoded in these operons. Sequence analysis revealed at least five distinct transporter families, with ArsY being the most dominant, followed by ArsB, ArsP (a recently reported permease family), Major Facilitator protein Superfamily (MFS) and Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP). In addition, other types of transporters encoded in the ars operons were found, but in much lower frequencies. The diversity and evolutionary relationships of these transporters with regard to arsenic resistance will be discussed. creator: Yiren Yang creator: Shiyang Wu creator: Ross McCausland Lilley creator: Ren Zhang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.943 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Yang et al. title: New insights into the lifestyle of Allosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda) based on another specimen with multiple pathologies link: https://peerj.com/articles/940 last-modified: 2015-05-12 description: Adult large-bodied theropods are often found with numerous pathologies. A large, almost complete, probably adult Allosaurus specimen from the Howe Stephens Quarry, Morrison Formation (Late Kimmeridgian–Early Tithonian), Wyoming, exhibits multiple pathologies. Pathologic bones include the left dentary, two cervical vertebrae, one cervical and several dorsal ribs, the left scapula, the left humerus, the right ischium, and two left pedal phalanges. These pathologies can be classified as follows: the fifth cervical vertebra, the scapula, several ribs and the ischium are probably traumatic, and a callus on the shaft of the left pedal phalanx II-2 is probably traumatic-infectious. Traumatically fractured elements exposed to frequent movement (e.g., the scapula and the ribs) show a tendency to develop pseudarthroses instead of a callus. The pathologies in the lower jaw and a reduced extensor tubercle of the left pedal phalanx II-2 are most likely traumatic or developmental in origin. The pathologies on the fourth cervical are most likely developmental in origin or idiopathic, that on the left humerus could be traumatic, developmental, infectious or idiopathic, whereas the left pedal phalanx IV-1 is classified as idiopathic. With exception of the ischium, all as traumatic/traumatic-infectious classified pathologic elements show unambiguous evidences of healing, indicating that the respective pathologies did not cause the death of this individual. Alignment of the scapula and rib pathologies from the left side suggests that all may have been caused by a single traumatic event. The ischial fracture may have been fatal. The occurrence of multiple lesions interpreted as traumatic pathologies again underlines that large-bodied theropods experienced frequent injuries during life, indicating an active predatory lifestyle, and their survival perhaps supports a gregarious behavior for Allosaurus. Alternatively, the frequent survival of traumatic events could be also related to the presence of non-endothermic metabolic rates that allow survival based on sporadic food consumption or scavenging behavior. Signs of pathologies consistent with infections are scarce and locally restricted, indicating a successful prevention of the spread of pathogens, as it is the case in extant reptiles (including birds). creator: Christian Foth creator: Serjoscha W. Evers creator: Ben Pabst creator: Octávio Mateus creator: Alexander Flisch creator: Mike Patthey creator: Oliver W.M. Rauhut uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.940 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Foth et al. title: Thylacinus (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) from the Mio-Pliocene boundary and the diversity of Late Neogene thylacinids in Australia link: https://peerj.com/articles/931 last-modified: 2015-05-12 description: Thylacinus yorkellus is described as a new, moderately small-bodied species of thylacinid from the latest Miocene or, more likely, earliest Pliocene of South Australia. The new species can be diagnosed by the autapomorphic presence a strongly developed precingulid that terminates in a cuspidule on the anterobuccal face of the paraconid of the lower molars and a tiny basal anterior cuspidule on P2, P3 and the lower molars. It is found by cladistic analysis to be the sister species of the recently extinct Th. cynocephalus and distinct from the approximately coeval Th. megiriani from the Northern Territory. New dentary material is described and referred to Th. megiriani. These add character data and allow this species to be re-diagnosed based on autapomorphic character traits. Each of the three known late Miocene to early Pliocene Thylacinus species (Th. potens, Th. megiriani and Th. yorkellus) suggest that, instead of declining, there was a modest radiation of Thylacinus in the late Miocene. creator: Adam M. Yates uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.931 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Yates title: Male convict cichlid 11-ketotestosterone levels throughout the reproductive cycle: an exploratory profile study in laboratory and field populations link: https://peerj.com/articles/949 last-modified: 2015-05-07 description: The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) has been extensively examined in relation to many behavioral topics, such as courtship, pair-bonding, bi-parental care, and territoriality. Recently, this model species has been utilized in studies on genetics, endocrinology, and neuroanatomy, with an ultimate goal of connecting behavior with its underlying mechanisms. The goal of this study was two-fold: (1) profile the circulating levels of plasma 11KT in the male convict cichlid at multiple points during the reproductive cycle and (2) generally compare the hormonal profiles of the widely used laboratory populations and those of a free-living population in the streams of Costa Rica. The results of the field experiment showed that male convict cichlids had higher levels of circulating 11KT during courtship and lower during the parental care and non-breeding phases. The profile of the laboratory population was similar to the profile of the free-living individuals, with significantly higher levels of 11KT occurring during courtship than during parental care, though the level of 11KT during non-breeding phase was elevated in the laboratory. The high levels of 11KT during courtship and low levels of 11KT during parental care found in both the field and the laboratory is similar to what has been reported in other species of teleosts, and may suggest an important function of 11KT in the expression of courtship behavior and the subsequent onset of parental behaviors in this model species. creator: Natalie April van Breukelen creator: Jennifer L. Snekser creator: Murray Itzkowitz uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.949 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 van Breukelen et al. title: Calcium affinity of human α-actinin 1 link: https://peerj.com/articles/944 last-modified: 2015-05-07 description: Due to alternative splicing, the human ACTN1 gene codes for three different transcripts of α-actinin; one isoform that is expressed only in the brain and two with a more general expression pattern. The sequence difference is located to the C-terminal domains and the EF-hand motifs. Therefore, any functional or structural distinction should involve this part of the protein. To investigate this further, the calcium affinities of these three isoforms of α-actinin 1 have been determined by isothermal calorimetry. creator: Lars Backman uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.944 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Backman title: Patient understanding of radiation risk from medical computed tomography—A comparison of Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic emergency department populations link: https://peerj.com/articles/937 last-modified: 2015-05-07 description: Background. Cultural differences and language barriers may adversely impact patients with respect to understanding the risks/benefits of medical testing.Objective. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic patients’ knowledge of radiation risk that results from CT of the abdomen/pelvis (CTAP).Methods. We enrolled a convenience sample of adults at an inner-city emergency department (ED). Patients provided written answers to rate agreement on a 10-point scale for two correct statements comparing radiation exposure equality between: CTAP and 5 years of background radiation (question 1); CTAP and 200 chest x-rays (question 3). Patients also rated their agreement that multiple CT scans increase the lifetime cancer risk (question 2). Scores of >8 were considered good knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the independent effect of the Hispanic variable.Results. 600 patients in the study group; 63% Hispanic, mean age 39.2 ± 13.9 years. Hispanics and non-Hispanics whites were similar with respect to good knowledge-level answers to question 1 (17.3 vs. 15.1%; OR = 1.2; 95% CI [0.74–2.0]), question 2 (31.2 vs. 39.3%; OR = 0.76; 95% CI [0.54–1.1]), and question 3 (15.2 vs. 16.5%; OR = 1.1; 95% CI [0.66–1.8]). Compared to patients who earned <20,000, patients with income >40,000 were more likely to answer question 2 with good knowledge (OR = 1.96; 95% CI [1.2–3.1]).Conclusion. The study group’s overall knowledge of radiation risk was poor, but we did not find significant differences between Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic patients. creator: Afton McNierney-Moore creator: Cynthia Smith creator: Jose Guardiola creator: K. Tom Xu creator: Peter B. Richman uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.937 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 McNierney-Moore et al. title: Analgesic effects of lappaconitine in leukemia bone pain in a mouse model link: https://peerj.com/articles/936 last-modified: 2015-05-07 description: Bone pain is a common and severe symptom in cancer patients. The present study employed a mouse model of leukemia bone pain by injection K562 cells into tibia of mouse to evaluate the analgesic effects of lappacontine. Our results showed that the lappaconitine treatment at day 15, 17 and 19 could effectively reduce the spontaneous pain scoring values, restore reduced degree in the inclined-plate test induced by injection of K562 cells, as well as restore paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency induced by injection of K562 cells to the normal levels. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of lappaconitine’s analgesic effects may be related to affect the expression levels of endogenous opioid system genes (POMC, PENK and MOR), as well as apoptosis-related genes (Xiap, Smac, Bim, NF-κB and p53). Our present results indicated that lappaconitine may become a new analgesic agent for leukemia bone pain management. creator: Xiao-Cui Zhu creator: Chen-Tao Ge creator: Pan Wang creator: Jia-Li Zhang creator: Yuan-Yang Yu creator: Cai-Yun Fu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.936 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Zhu et al. title: Seasonal trends in the condition of nesting females of a solitary bee: wing wear, lipid content, and oocyte size link: https://peerj.com/articles/930 last-modified: 2015-05-07 description: During the nesting season, adult females of the solitary bee Megachile rotundata (F.) face considerable physical and energy demands that could include increasing wear and tear on their bodies and decreasing lipid reserves. Consequently, their reproductive performance may be affected not only by extrinsic factors (e.g., weather and floral resource availability), but intrinsic changes in their own bodies. Because of the potential fitness effects of seasonal changes in body condition, our objectives were to determine how wing wear, lipid reserves, and oocyte sizes vary during nesting seasons, beginning when females emerge as adults. As nesting progressed, females in two populations experienced a steady increase in wing wear, which is known to reduce foraging efficiency and increase risk of mortality in other bees. Soon after emergence, females exhibited sharp declines in lipid content which remained low for the remainder of the season. Newly-emerged females ingested pollen, an activity known to be correlated with the initiation of egg maturation in this species. Additionally, the early summer drop in lipid stores was correlated with an increase in the size of the oocytes carried. However, by ∼6 weeks after emergence, oocytes began to decrease in length and volume, perhaps due to nutrient deficiencies related to loss of stored lipids. Our results suggest management of M. rotundata should include rearing bees at temperatures that maximize stored lipid reserves in adults and timing bee release so that significant pollen resources are available for both adults and offspring. creator: Kevin M. O’Neill creator: Casey M. Delphia creator: Theresa L. Pitts-Singer uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.930 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 O’Neill et al. title: Associations between lower extremity muscle mass and metabolic parameters related to obesity in Japanese obese patients with type 2 diabetes link: https://peerj.com/articles/942 last-modified: 2015-05-05 description: Background. Age-related loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) increases the incidence of obesity in the elderly by reducing physical activity. This sarcopenic obesity may become self-perpetuating, increasing the risks for metabolic syndrome, disability, and mortality. We investigated the associations of two sarcopenic indices, the ratio of lower extremity muscle mass to body weight (L/W ratio) and the ratio of lower extremity muscle mass to upper extremity muscle mass (L/U ratio), with metabolic parameters related to obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.Methods. Of 148 inpatients with type 2 diabetes treated between October 2013 and April 2014, we recruited 26 with obesity but no physical disability. Daily physical activity was measured by a triaxial accelerometer during a period of hospitalization, and which was also evaluated by our previously reported non-exercise activity thermogenesis questionnaire. We measured body composition by bioelectrical impedance and investigated the correlations of L/W and L/U ratios with body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, serum lipid profile, and daily physical activity.Results. The L/W ratio was significantly and negatively correlated with BMI, WC, WHR, body fat mass, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat area, and serum free fatty acid concentration, was positively correlated with daily physical activity: the locomotive non-exercise activity thermogenesis score, but was not correlated with visceral fat area. The L/U ratio was significantly and positively correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Conclusions. High L/W and L/U ratios, indicative of relatively preserved lower extremity muscle mass, were predictive of improved metabolic parameters related to obesity. Preserved muscle fitness in obesity, especially of the lower extremities, may prevent sarcopenic obesity and lower associated risks for metabolic syndrome and early mortality. creator: Hidetaka Hamasaki creator: Yu Kawashima creator: Hiroki Adachi creator: Sumie Moriyama creator: Hisayuki Katsuyama creator: Akahito Sako creator: Hidekatsu Yanai uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.942 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2015 Hamasaki et al.