title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=290 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Bioaccessibility of condensed tannins and their effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of lamb meat link: https://peerj.com/articles/17572 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: The bioaccessibility of tannins as antioxidants in meat is essential to maximise their effectiveness in protecting the product. This property determines the amount of tannins available to interact with meat components, inhibiting lipid and protein oxidation and, consequently, prolonging shelf life and preserving the sensory quality of the product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of condensed tannins (CT) from Acacia mearnsii extract (AME) and their effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of fattened lamb meat. Thirty-six Dorset × Hampshire lambs (3 months old and 20.8 ± 3.3 kg live weight) were used. The lambs were distributed equally (n = 9) into four treatments: T1, T2, T3 and T4, which included a basal diet plus 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% of CT from AME, respectively. At the end of the fattening period, bioaccessibility was evaluated, the animals were slaughtered and a sample of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was collected to assess colour, lipid oxidation, cooking weight loss and shear force on days 1, 4, 7 and 14 of shelf-life, in samples preserved at −20 °C. In addition, the long chain fatty acid profile was analysed. A completely randomised design was used, and the means were compared with Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). The mean lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and hue (H*) values were higher for T3 and T4. The addition of CT did not affect (P > 0.05) redness (a*), cooking weight loss (CWL) or shear force (SF). T4 decreased (P < 0.05) stearic acid and increased cis-9 trans-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Bioaccessibility was higher in the supplemented groups (T1 < T2, T3 and T4). In conclusion, supplementing CT from AME in the diet of lambs did not reduce lipid oxidation, but T3 or T4 improved some aspects of meat colour and CLA deposition. creator: Alejandro García Salas creator: Jose Ricardo Bárcena-Gama creator: Joel Ventura creator: Canuto Muñoz-García creator: José Carlos Escobar-España creator: Maria Magdalena Crosby creator: David Hernandez uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17572 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 García Salas et al. title: Effects of wheat intercropping on growth and occurrence of Fusarium wilt in watermelon link: https://peerj.com/articles/17587 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: Watermelon is commonly affected by Fusarium wilt in a monoculture cropping system. Wheat intercropping alleviates the affection of Fusarium wilt of watermelon. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wheat and watermelon intercropping on watermelon growth and Fusarium wilt. Our results showed that wheat and watermelon intercropping promoted growth, increased chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis of watermelon. Meanwhile, wheat and watermelon intercropping inhibited watermelon Fusarium wilt occurrence, decreased spore numbers, increased root vigor, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in watermelon roots. Additionally, wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced the bacterial colonies and total microbes growth in soil, decreased fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) colonies, and increased soil enzyme activities in watermelon rhizosphere soil. Our results indicated that wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced watermelon growth and decreased the incidence of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. These effects could be due to intercropping inducing physiological changes, regulating soil enzyme activities, and/or modulating soil microbial communities. creator: HuiFang Lv creator: CongSheng Yan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17587 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Lv and Yan title: Positive peritoneal lavage fluid cytology based on isolation by size of epithelial tumor cells indicates a high risk of peritoneal metastasis link: https://peerj.com/articles/17602 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: BackgroundPeritoneal metastasis (PM) is the most prevalent type of metastasis in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and has an extremely poor prognosis. The detection of free cancer cells (FCCs) in the peritoneal cavity has been demonstrated to be one of the worst prognostic factors for GC. However, there is a lack of sensitive detection methods for FCCs in the peritoneal cavity. This study aimed to use a new peritoneal lavage fluid cytology examination to detect FCCs in patients with GC, and to explore its clinical significance on diagnosing of occult peritoneal metastasis (OPM) and prognosis.MethodsPeritoneal lavage fluid from 50 patients with GC was obtained and processed via the isolation by size of epithelial tumor cells (ISET) method. Immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to identify FCCs expressing chromosome 8 (CEP8), chromosome 17 (CEP17), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM).ResultsUsing a combination of the ISET platform and immunofluorescence-FISH, the detection of FCCs was higher than that by light microscopy (24.0% vs. 2.0%). Samples were categorized into positive and negative groups, based on the expressions of CEP8, CEP17, and EpCAM. Statistically significant relationships were demonstrated between age (P = 0.029), sex (P = 0.002), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.001), pTNM stage (P = 0.001), and positivity for FCCs. After adjusting for covariates, patients with positive FCCs had lower progression-free survival than patients with negative FCCs.ConclusionThe ISET platform highly enriched nucleated cells from peritoneal lavage fluid, and indicators comprising EpCAM, CEP8, and CEP17 confirmed the diagnosis of FCCs. As a potential detection method, it offers an opportunity for early intervention of OPM and an extension of patient survival. creator: Ying Xuan creator: Qizhong Gao creator: Chenhu Wang creator: Dongyan Cai uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17602 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Xuan et al. title: Effects of weight-bearing dance aerobics on lower limb muscle morphology, strength and functional fitness in older women link: https://peerj.com/articles/17606 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of 12-week weight-bearing dance aerobics (WBDA) on muscle morphology, strength and functional fitness in older women.MethodsThis controlled study recruited 37 female participants (66.31y ± 3.83) and divided them into intervention and control groups according to willingness. The intervention group received 90-min WBDA thrice a week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained normal activities. The groups were then compared by measuring muscle thickness, fiber length and pennation angle by ultrasound, muscle strength using an isokinetic multi-joint module and functional fitness, such as 2-min step test, 30-s chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, TUG and single-legged closed-eyed standing test. The morphology, strength, and functional fitness were compared using ANCOVA or Mann-Whitney U test to study the effects of 12 weeks WBDA.ResultsAmong all recruited participants, 33 completed all tests. After 12 weeks, the thickness of the vastus intermedius (F = 17.85, P < 0.01) and quadriceps (F = 15.62, P < 0.01) was significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group, along with a significant increase in the torque/weight of the knee flexor muscles (F = 4.47, P = 0.04). Similarly, the intervention group revealed a significant improvement in the single-legged closed-eyed standing test (z = −2.16, P = 0.03) compared to the control group.ConclusionThe study concluded that compared to the non-exercising control group, 12-week WBDA was shown to thicken vastus intermedius, increase muscle strength, and improve physical function in older women. In addition, this study provides a reference exercise program for older women. creator: Xiaoying Peng creator: Tang Zhou creator: Hua Wu creator: Yiyan Li creator: Jiajia Liu creator: Huan Huang creator: Changshuang He creator: Shaoyu Guo creator: Muyang Huan creator: Lei Shi creator: Peijie Chen creator: Minghui Quan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17606 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Peng et al. title: Response of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community to chemical fertilization in sugarcane link: https://peerj.com/articles/17610 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: Most sugarcane cultivation areas in China have undergone over 30 years of continuous monocropping, and long-term chemical fertilizer application has led to severe soil degradation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in promoting plant nutrient uptake, enhancing plant stress tolerance, and improving soil quality and restoration. However, in agroecosystems, AMF are susceptible to the effects of cultivation, fertilization, and other factors. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of chemical fertilization on the AMF community in the rhizosphere soil of plant crop of sugarcane. In this study, sugarcane varieties GT58 and GT29 were selected for experiment. Four different chemical fertilization rates were established using controlled-release compound chemical fertilizer (N: P: K = 17:7:17): T1 (0.0 kg/ha), T2 (562.5 kg/ha), T3 (1,125.0 kg/ha), and T4 (2,250.0 kg/ha). The results showed that different fertilization rates significantly affected the cane yield in GT58. T3 and T4 increased the cane yield by 12.67% and 11.11%, respectively, compared to the control T1 (P < 0.05). The impact on the cane yield in GT29 was not significant. The diversity indices of root-associated AMF in GT58 (Chao index and Shannon index) varied significantly in different fertilization rates. T3 had the highest diversity, showing no significant difference from T1 and T2 but significantly higher than T4. For GT29, there were no significant differences in the diversity indices of root-associated AMF among different fertilization rates. Analyzing the differential species in root-associated soil with different fertilization rates in GT58 at the OTU level revealed that T3 had significantly higher abundances for 5 OTUs compared to the other treatments, and all the differentially abundant species belonged to Glomus. The Mantel analysis revealed that the genus Acaulospora was significantly and positively correlated with millable stalks (P < 0.001), and significantly and positively correlated with tiller number (P < 0.05). The genus Scutellospora showed a significant positive correlation with sprouting rate (P < 0.05). However, the other AMF genera did not show significant correlations with the agronomic traits of sugarcane. In summary, different chemical fertilization rates significantly affected the cane yield in GT58 and the AMF community in the rhizosphere soil, but not in GT29, which suggests that sugarcane chemical fertilization should consider different sugarcane varieties and the diversity of AMF communities in soil. creator: Yi-Hao Kang creator: Shang-Tao Jiang creator: Qian Wang creator: Ying-Jie Nong creator: Juan Song creator: Dong-Ping Li creator: Yun-Ying Wen creator: Jie Xu creator: Ting-Su Chen creator: Jin-Lian Zhang creator: Yang-Rui Li uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17610 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 Kang et al. title: Functional variation among mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissue sources link: https://peerj.com/articles/17616 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly recognized for their regenerative potential. However, their clinical application is hindered by their inherent variability, which is influenced by various factors, such as the tissue source, culture conditions, and passage number.MethodsMSCs were sourced from clinically relevant tissues, including adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADMSCs, n = 2), chorionic villi-derived MSCs (CMMSCs, n = 2), amniotic membrane-derived MSCs (AMMSCs, n = 3), and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs, n = 3). Passages included the umbilical cord at P0 (UCMSCP0, n = 2), P3 (UCMSCP3, n = 2), and P5 (UCMSCP5, n = 2) as well as the umbilical cord at P5 cultured under low-oxygen conditions (UCMSCP5L, n = 2).ResultsWe observed that MSCs from different tissue origins clustered into six distinct functional subpopulations, each with varying proportions. Notably, ADMSCs exhibited a higher proportion of subpopulations associated with vascular regeneration, suggesting that they are beneficial for applications in vascular regeneration. Additionally, CMMSCs had a high proportion of subpopulations associated with reproductive processes. UCMSCP5 and UCMSCP5L had higher proportions of subpopulations related to female reproductive function than those for earlier passages. Furthermore, UCMSCP5L, cultured under low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions, had a high proportion of subpopulations associated with pro-angiogenic characteristics, with implications for optimizing vascular regeneration.ConclusionsThis study revealed variation in the distribution of MSC subpopulations among different tissue sources, passages, and culture conditions, including differences in functions related to vascular and reproductive system regeneration. These findings hold promise for personalized regenerative medicine and may lead to more effective clinical treatments across a spectrum of medical conditions. creator: Ning Yi creator: Qiao Zeng creator: Chunbing Zheng creator: Shiping Li creator: Bo Lv creator: Cheng Wang creator: Chanyi Li creator: Wenjiao Jiang creator: Yun Liu creator: Yuan Yang creator: Tenglong Yan creator: Jinfeng Xue creator: Zhigang Xue uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17616 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 rights: © 2024 Yi et al. title: Andrographolide induces protective autophagy and targeting DJ-1 triggers reactive oxygen species-induced cell death in pancreatic cancer link: https://peerj.com/articles/17619 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: BackgroundAndrographolide (Andro), an extract of Andrographis paniculate (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees (Acanthaceae), possesses diverse biologically active properties. However, the precise mechanisms and effects of Andro on pancreatic cancer (PC) remain unclear.MethodsThe cytotoxic potential of Andro and underlying mechanism towards PC cells was investigated through in vitro experiments and a xenograft mouse model. PC cells were first subjected to varying concentrations of Andro. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed using flow cytometry and DCFH-DA staining. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Additionally, western blot was applied to evaluate the expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3, DJ-1, LC3-I, LC3-II, and p62. To further elucidate the involvement of ROS accumulation and autophagy, we employed N-acetylcysteine as a scavenger of ROS and 3-Methyladenine as an inhibitor of autophagy.ResultsAndro demonstrated potent anti-proliferative effects on PC cells and induced apoptosis, both in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxicity of Andro on PC cells was counteracted by DJ-1 overexpression. The reduction in DJ-1 expression caused by Andro led to ROS accumulation, subsequently inhibiting the growth of PC cells. Furthermore, Andro stimulated cytoprotective autophagy, thus weakening the antitumor effect. Pharmacological blockade of autophagy further enhanced the antitumor efficacy of Andro.ConclusionOur study indicated that ROS accumulation induced by the DJ-1 reduction played a key role in Andro-mediated PC cell inhibition. Furthermore, the protective autophagy induced by the Andro in PC cells is a mechanism that needs to be addressed in future studies. creator: Zhaohong Wang creator: Hui Chen creator: Xufan Cai creator: Heqi Bu creator: Shengzhang Lin uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17619 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Wang et al. title: Microbial fungicides can positively affect aubergine photosynthetic properties, soil enzyme activity and microbial community structure link: https://peerj.com/articles/17620 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: BackgroundThis study examined the effects of microbial agents on the enzyme activity, microbial community construction and potential functions of inter-root soil of aubergine (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). This study also sought to clarify the adaptability of inter-root microorganisms to environmental factors to provide a theoretical basis for the stability of the microbiology of inter-root soil of aubergine and for the ecological preservation of farmland soil.MethodsEggplant inter-root soils treated with Bacillus subtilis (QZ_T1), Bacillus subtilis (QZ_T2), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (QZ_T3), Verticillium thuringiensis (QZ_T4) and Verticillium purpureum (QZ_T5) were used to analyse the effects of different microbial agents on the inter-root soils of aubergine compared to the untreated control group (QZ_CK). The effects of different microbial agents on the characteristics and functions of inter-root soil microbial communities were analysed using 16S rRNA and ITS (internal transcribed spacer region) high-throughput sequencing techniques.ResultsThe bacterial diversity index and fungal diversity index of the aubergine inter-root soil increased significantly with the application of microbial fungicides; gas exchange parameters and soil enzyme activities also increased. The structural and functional composition of the bacterial and fungal communities in the aubergine inter-root soil changed after fungicide treatment compared to the control, with a decrease in the abundance of phytopathogenic fungi and an increase in the abundance of beneficial fungi in the soil. Enhancement of key community functions, reduction of pathogenic fungi, modulation of environmental factors and improved functional stability of microbial communities were important factors contributing to the microbial stability of fungicide-treated aubergine inter-root soils. creator: Longxue Wei creator: Jinying Zhu creator: Dongbo Zhao creator: Yanting Pei creator: Lianghai Guo creator: Jianjun Guo creator: Zhihui Guo creator: Huini Cui creator: Yongjun Li creator: Jiansheng Gao uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17620 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Wei et al. title: The effect of a spinal thrust manipulation’s audible pop on brain wave activity: a quasi-experimental repeated measure design link: https://peerj.com/articles/17622 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: IntroductionHigh velocity thrust manipulation is commonly used when managing joint dysfunctions. Often, these thrust maneuvers will elicit an audible pop. It has been unclear what conclusively causes this audible sound and its clinical meaningfulness. This study sought to identify the effect of the audible pop on brainwave activity directly following a prone T7 thrust manipulation in asymptomatic/healthy subjects.MethodsThis was a quasi-experimental repeated measure study design in which 57 subjects completed the study protocol. Brain wave activity was measured with the Emotiv EPOC+, which collects data with a frequency of 128 HZ and has 14 electrodes. Testing was performed in a controlled environment with minimal electrical interference (as measured with a Gauss meter), temperature variance, lighting variance, sound pollution, and other variable changes that could have influenced or interfered with pure EEG data acquisition. After accommodation each subject underwent a prone T7 posterior-anterior thrust manipulation. Immediately after the thrust manipulation the brainwave activity was measured for 10 seconds.ResultsThe non-audible group (N = 20) consisted of 55% males, and the audible group (N = 37) consisted of 43% males. The non-audible group EEG data revealed a significant change in brain wave activity under some of the electrodes in the frontal, parietal, and the occipital lobes. In the audible group, there was a significant change in brain wave activity under all electrodes in the frontal lobes, the parietal lobe, and the occipital lobes but not the temporal lobes.ConclusionThe audible sounds caused by a thoracic high velocity thrust manipulation did not affect the activity in the audible centers in the temporal brain region. The results support the hypothesis that thrust manipulation with or without audible sound results in a generalized relaxation immediately following the manipulation. The absence of a significant difference in brainwave activity in the frontal lobe in this study might indicate that the audible pop does not produce a “placebo” mechanism. creator: Rob Sillevis creator: Joshua Unum creator: Valerie Weiss creator: Eric Shamus creator: Francisco Selva-Sarzo uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17622 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2024 Sillevis et al. title: Dragon boat exercise reshapes the temporal-spatial dynamics of the brain link: https://peerj.com/articles/17623 last-modified: 2024-06-28 description: Although exercise training has been shown to enhance neurological function, there is a shortage of research on how exercise training affects the temporal-spatial synchronization properties of functional networks, which are crucial to the neurological system. This study recruited 23 professional and 24 amateur dragon boat racers to perform simulated paddling on ergometers while recording EEG. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the brain were analyzed using microstates and omega complexity. Temporal dynamics results showed that microstate D, which is associated with attentional networks, appeared significantly altered, with significantly higher duration, occurrence, and coverage in the professional group than in the amateur group. The transition probabilities of microstate D exhibited a similar pattern. The spatial dynamics results showed the professional group had lower brain complexity than the amateur group, with a significant decrease in omega complexity in the α (8–12 Hz) and β (13–30 Hz) bands. Dragon boat training may strengthen the attentive network and reduce the complexity of the brain. This study provides evidence that dragon boat exercise improves the efficiency of the cerebral functional networks on a spatiotemporal scale. creator: Hongke Jiang creator: Shanguang Zhao creator: Qianqian Wu creator: Yingying Cao creator: Wu Zhou creator: Youwu Gong creator: Changzhuan Shao creator: Aiping Chi uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17623 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2024 Jiang et al.