title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=411 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Rivaroxaban, a direct inhibitor of coagulation factor Xa, attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling in rats by regulating the PAR-2 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways link: https://peerj.com/articles/16097 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: BackgroundFactor Xa (FXa) not only plays an active role in the coagulation cascade but also exerts non-hemostatic signaling through the protease-activated receptors (PARs). This study aimed to investigate whether the FXa inhibitor, Rivaroxaban (RIV), attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction (MI) and to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms it uses.MethodsAn MI model was induced in eight-week-old, male Wistar rats, by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MI rats were randomly assigned to receive RIV or protease-activated receptors 2-antagonist (PAR-2 antagonist, FSLLRY) treatment for four weeks. Histological staining, echocardiography and hemodynamics were used to assess the cardioprotective effects of RIV. Meanwhile, pharmacological approaches of agonist and inhibitor were used to observe the potential pathways in which RIV exerts antifibrotic effects in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). In addition, real-time PCR and western blot analysis were performed to examine the associated signaling pathways.ResultsRIV presented favorable protection of left ventricular (LV) cardiac function in MI rats by significantly reducing myocardial infarct size, ameliorating myocardial pathological damage and improving left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Similar improvements in the PAR-2 antagonist FSLLRY and RIV groups suggested that RIV protects against cardiac dysfunction in MI rats by ameliorating PAR-2 activation. Furthermore, an in vitro model of fibrosis was then generated by applying angiotensin II (Ang II) to neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Consistent with the findings of the animal experiments, RIV and FSLLRY inhibited the expression of fibrosis markers and suppressed the intracellular upregulation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), as well as its downstream Smad2/3 phosphorylation effectors in Ang II-induced fibrosis, and PAR-2 agonist peptide (PAR-2 AP) reversed the inhibition effect of RIV.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that RIV attenuates MI-induced cardiac remodeling and improves heart function, partly by inhibiting the activation of the PAR-2 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways. creator: Qian Zhang creator: Zhongfan Zhang creator: Weiwei Chen creator: Haikuo Zheng creator: Daoyuan Si creator: Wenqi Zhang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16097 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Zhang et al. title: Enhancing survivorship and growth of juvenile Montipora capitata using the Hawaiian collector urchin Tripneustes gratilla link: https://peerj.com/articles/16113 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: The biodiversity of coral reef habitats is rapidly declining due to the effects of anthropogenic climate change, prompting the use of active restoration as a mitigation strategy. Sexual propagation can maintain or enhance genetic diversity in restoration of these ecosystems, but these approaches suffer from a range of inefficiencies in rearing and husbandry. Algal overgrowth of juveniles is a major bottleneck in the production of sexually propagated corals that may be alleviated by co-culture with herbivores. We reared juvenile Montipora capitata alongside juvenile native Hawaiian collector urchins, Tripneustes gratilla, for 15 weeks and documented significant ecological benefits of co-culture. Urchin treatments significantly increased the survivorship of coral aggregates (14%) and individual settlers (24%). We also documented a significant increase in coral growth in the presence of urchins. These results demonstrate the utility of microherbivory in promoting coral growth and survivorship in ex situ conditions, providing valuable insight for restoration pipelines of native Hawaiian coral species. creator: Andrew R. Barrows creator: Joshua R. Hancock creator: David L. Cohen creator: Patrick Gorong creator: Matthew Lewis creator: Sean Louie creator: Lani Musselman creator: Carlo Caruso creator: Spencer Miller creator: Crawford Drury uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16113 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Barrows et al. title: Microorganism-regulated autophagy in gastrointestinal cancer link: https://peerj.com/articles/16130 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: Gastrointestinal cancer has always been one of the most urgent problems to be solved, and it has become a major global health issue. Microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract regulate normal physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence reveals the role of the imbalance in the microbial community during tumorigenesis. Autophagy is an important intracellular homeostatic process, where defective proteins and organelles are degraded and recycled under stress. Autophagy plays a dual role in tumors as both tumor suppressor and tumor promoter. Many studies have shown that autophagy plays an important role in response to microbial infection. Here, we provide an overview on the regulation of the autophagy signaling pathway by microorganisms in gastrointestinal cancer. creator: Jun-Yu Xu creator: Jiao-Xiu Fan creator: Min Hu creator: Jun Zeng uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16130 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Xu et al. title: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of allicin in the kidney of an experimental model of metabolic syndrome link: https://peerj.com/articles/16132 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: BackgroundRecent studies have suggested that metabolic syndrome (MS) encompasses a group of risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of allicin in the kidney from an experimental model of MS.MethodsMale Wistar rats (220–250 g) were used, and three experimental groups (n = 6) were formed: control (C), metabolic syndrome (MS), and MS treated with allicin (16 mg/Kg/day, gastric gavage) (MS+A). MS was considered when an increase of 20% in at least three parameters (body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), or dyslipidemia) was observed compared to the C group. After the MS diagnosis, allicin was administered for 30 days.ResultsBefore the treatment with allicin, the MS group showed more significant body weight gain, increased SBP, and FBG, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. In addition, increased markers of kidney damage in urine and blood. Moreover, the MS increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney compared to group C. The allicin treatment prevented further weight gain, reduced SBP, FBG, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. Also, markers of kidney damage in urine and blood were decreased. Further, the oxidative stress and inflammation were decreased in the renal cortex of the MS+A compared to the MS group.ConclusionAllicin exerts its beneficial effects on the metabolic syndrome by considerably reducing systemic and renal inflammation as well as the oxidative stress. These effects were mediated through the Nrf2 pathway. The results suggest allicin may be a therapeutic alternative for treating kidney injury induced by the metabolic syndrome risk factors. creator: Abraham Said Arellano Buendia creator: Juan Gabriel Juárez Rojas creator: Fernando García-Arroyo creator: Omar Emiliano Aparicio Trejo creator: Fausto Sánchez-Muñoz creator: Raúl Argüello-García creator: Laura Gabriela Sánchez-Lozada creator: Rafael Bojalil creator: Horacio Osorio-Alonso uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16132 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Arellano Buendia et al. title: Comparison of ultrasonic shear wave elastography, AngioPLUS planewave ultrasensitive imaging, and optimized high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating carotid plaque stability link: https://peerj.com/articles/16150 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the efficiency of evaluating carotid plaque stability using ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE), AngioPLUS planewave ultrasensitive imaging (AP), and optimized high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsA total of 100 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy at our hospital from October 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Based on the final clinical diagnosis, these patients were divided into vulnerable (n = 62) and stable (n = 38) plaque groups. All patients were examined using ultrasound SWE, AP, and optimized high-resolution MRI before surgery. The clinical data and ultrasound characteristics of patients of the two groups were compared. Considering the final clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of SWE, AP, high-resolution MRI, and the final clinical diagnosis of vulnerable plaque were calculated. Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the correlations of AP, SWE, and MRI results with the grading results of carotid artery stenosis.ResultsStatistically significant differences were noticed in terms of the history of smoking and coronary heart disease, plaque thickness, surface rules, calcified nodules, low echo area, and the degree of carotid artery stenosis between the two groups (P < 0.05). Considering the final clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of SWE-based detection of carotid artery vulnerability were 87.10% (54/62), 76.32% (29/38), 85.71% (54/63) and 78.38% (29/37), respectively, showing a general consistency with the final clinical results (Kappa = 0.637, P < 0.05). Considering the final clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of AP-based detection of carotid artery vulnerability were 93.55% (58/62), 84.21% (32/38), 90.63% (58/64), and 88.89% (32/36), respectively, which agreed with the final clinical detection results (Kappa = 0.786, P < 0.05). Considering the final clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of high-resolution MRI-based detection of carotid artery vulnerability were 88.71% (55/62), 78.95% (30/38), 87.30% (55/63), and 81.08% (30/37), respectively, showing consistency with the final clinical results (Kappa = 0.680, P < 0.05). AP, SWE, and MRI results were positively correlated with the results of carotid artery stenosis grading (P < 0.05).ConclusionAP technology is a non-invasive, inexpensive, and highly sensitive method to evaluate the stability of carotid artery plaques. This method can dynamically display the flow of blood in new vessels of plaque in real time and provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. creator: Shaoqin Zhang creator: Shuyan Jiang creator: Chunye Wang creator: Chao Han uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16150 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Zhang et al. title: Estimating the one-repetition maximum on the leg-press exercise in female breast cancer survivors link: https://peerj.com/articles/16175 last-modified: 2023-09-27 description: We examined the accuracy of twelve different velocity-based methods for predicting the bilateral leg-press exercise one-repetition maximum (1RM) in breast cancer survivors. Twenty-one female breast cancer survivors (age 50.2 ± 10.8 years) performed an incremental loading test up to the 1RM. Individual load-velocity relationships were modeled by linear and quadratic polynomial regression models considering the mean velocity (MV) and peak velocity (PV) values recorded at five incremental loads (~45-55-65-75-85% of 1RM) (multiple-point methods) and by a linear regression model considering only the two distant loads (~45–85% of 1RM) (two-point method). The 1RM was always estimated through these load-velocity relationships as the load associated with a general (MV: 0.24 m/s; PV: 0.60 m/s) and an individual (MV and PV of the 1RM trial) minimal velocity threshold (MVT). Compared to the actual 1RM, the 1RMs estimated by all linear regression models showed trivial differences (Hedge’s g ranged from 0.08 to 0.17), very large to nearly perfect correlations (r ranged from 0.87 to 0.95), and no heteroscedasticity of the errors (coefficient of determination (r2) < 0.10 obtained from the relationship of the raw differences between the actual and predicted 1RMs with their average value). Given the acceptable and comparable accuracy for all 1RM linear prediction methods, the two-point method and a general MVT could be recommended to simplify the testing procedure of the bilateral leg-press 1RM in breast cancer survivors. creator: David M. Díez-Fernández creator: Andrés Baena-Raya creator: Amador García-Ramos creator: Alba Esteban-Simón creator: Manuel A. Rodríguez-Pérez creator: Antonio J. Casimiro-Andújar creator: Alberto Soriano-Maldonado uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16175 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Díez-Fernández et al. title: Effect of ethyl methanesulfonate mediated mutation for enhancing morpho-physio-biochemical and yield contributing traits of fragrant rice link: https://peerj.com/articles/15821 last-modified: 2023-09-26 description: BackgroundChemical mutagenesis has been successfully used for increasing genetic diversity in crop plants. More than 800 novel mutant types of rice (Oryza sativa L.) have been developed through the successful application of numerous mutagenic agents. Among a wide variety of chemical mutagens, ethyl-methane-sulfonate (EMS) is the alkylating agent that is most commonly employed in crop plants because it frequently induces nucleotide substitutions as detected in numerous genomes.MethodsIn this study, seeds of the widely consumed Basmati rice variety (Super Basmati, Oryza sativa L.) were treated with EMS at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.0%, and 1.25% to broaden its narrow genetic base.ResultsSensitivity to a chemical mutagen such as ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) was determined in the M1 generation. Results in M1 generation revealed that as the levels of applied EMS increased, there was a significant reduction in the germination percent, root length, shoot length, plant height, productive tillers, panicle length, sterile spikelet, total spikelet, and fertility percent as compared to the control under field conditions. All the aforementioned parameters decreased but there was an increase in EMS mutagens in an approximately linear fashion. Furthermore, there was no germination at 1.25% of EMS treatment for seed germination. A 50% germination was recorded between 0.50% and 0.75% EMS treatments. After germination, the subsequent parameters, viz. root length and shoot length had LD50 between 05.0% and 0.75% EMS dose levels. Significant variation was noticed in the photosynthetic and water related attributes of fragrant rice. The linear increase in the enzymatic attributes was noticed by the EMS mediated treatments. After the establishment of the plants in the M1 generation in the field, it was observed that LD50 for fertility percentage was at EMS 1.0% level, for the rice variety.ConclusionHence, it is concluded that for creating genetic variability in the rice variety (Super Basmati), EMS doses from 0.5% to 0.75% are the most efficient, and effective. creator: Areeqa Shamshad creator: Muhammad Rashid creator: Ljupcho Jankuloski creator: Kamran Ashraf creator: Khawar Sultan creator: Saud Alamri creator: Manzer H. Siddiqui creator: Tehzeem Munir creator: Qamar uz Zaman uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15821 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Shamshad et al. title: Effect of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass with increased kynurenic acid content on selected metabolic indicators in mice link: https://peerj.com/articles/15833 last-modified: 2023-09-26 description: BackgroundThe unconventional yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica is a valuable source of protein and many other nutrients. It can be used to produce hydrolytic enzymes and metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan with a multidirectional effect on the body. The administration of Y. lipolytica with an increased content of KYNA in the diet may have a beneficial effect on metabolism, which was evaluated in a nutritional experiment on mice.MethodsIn the dry biomass of Y. lipolytica S12 enriched in KYNA (high-KYNA yeast) and low-KYNA (control) yeast, the content of KYNA was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, proximate and amino acid composition and selected indicators of antioxidant status were compared. The effect of 5% high-KYNA yeast content in the diet on the growth, hematological and biochemical indices of blood and the redox status of the liver was determined in a 7-week experiment on adult male mice from an outbred colony derived from A/St, BALB/c, BN/a and C57BL/6J inbred strains.ResultsHigh-KYNA yeast was characterized by a greater concentration of KYNA than low-KYNA yeast (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.29 ± 0.01 g/kg dry matter), lower content of crude protein with a less favorable amino acid composition and minerals, higher level of crude fiber and fat and lower ferric-reducing antioxidant power, concentration of phenols and glutathione. Consumption of the high-KYNA yeast diet did not affect the cumulative body weight gain per cage, cumulative food intake per cage and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control diet. A trend towards lower mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lower serum total protein and globulins was observed, increased serum total cholesterol and urea were noted. Its ingestion resulted in a trend towards greater ferric-reducing antioxidant power in the liver and did not affect the degree of liver lipid and protein oxidation.ConclusionsThe improvement of the quality of Y. lipolytica yeast biomass with increased content of KYNA, including its antioxidant potential, would be affected by the preserved level of protein and unchanged amino acid profile. It will be worth investigating the effect of such optimized yeast on model animals, including animals with metabolic diseases. creator: Magdalena Matusiewicz creator: Magdalena Wróbel-Kwiatkowska creator: Tomasz Niemiec creator: Wiesław Świderek creator: Iwona Kosieradzka creator: Aleksandra Rosińska creator: Anna Niwińska creator: Magdalena Rakicka-Pustułka creator: Tomasz Kocki creator: Waldemar Rymowicz creator: Waldemar A. Turski uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15833 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Matusiewicz et al. title: Assessing climbers’ pull-up capabilities by differentiating the parameters involved in power production link: https://peerj.com/articles/15886 last-modified: 2023-09-26 description: This study explored the capabilities of sport climbers to pull up with arms. The methodology aimed at assessing (i) concentric capabilities of arm muscles, (ii) body coordination skills (iii) characteristics of energy storage and (iv) capabilities to resist fatigue. Twenty-eight climbers were tested and the force exerted was recorded during three pull-up exercises: jump tests (with or without coordination, or preceded by an eccentric phase), incrementally weighted pull-ups and maximum number of pull-ups. Force, velocity, muscle power and muscle work were analysed using ANOVA with post-hoc tests and principal component analysis. Correlations with climbing level were also studied. Overall, jump test results showed that body coordination and stretch-shortening cycle phenomena contributed significantly to performance but only the body coordination was related to the climber’s grade level. Muscle work and maximum number of pull-ups are correlated with climbing level which showed that the capacity to resist fatigue is another crucial capability of climbers arms. The development of force capacities appeared crucial for performing whereas the velocity capabilities seemed to originate from the climber’s own characteristics/style without correlating with climbing performance. Our study provides the basis for evaluating these parameters in order to help trainers in the diagnosis process and training follow-up. creator: Marine Devise creator: Franck Quaine creator: Laurent Vigouroux uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15886 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Devise et al. title: Genetic connectivity and population expansion inferred from multilocus analysis in Lutjanus alexandrei (Lutjanidae–Perciformes), an endemic snapper from Northeastern Brazilian coast link: https://peerj.com/articles/15973 last-modified: 2023-09-26 description: Previous studies about the genetic diversity, connectivity and demographic history in Lutjanidae fishes have reported a common pattern of genetic homogeneity and expansion in populations from Western South Atlantic. In the present work, we inferred the population structure, the levels of genetic diversity and the demographic history of the Brazilian snapper Lutjanus alexandrei, a recently described and endemic species from Northeastern coast of Brazil. Five different fragments, including mitochondrial DNA (Control Region, Cyt b and ND4) and nuclear DNA (Myostatin and S7) regions were analyzed in 120 specimens of L. alexandrei from four localities in Northeastern Brazil, representing the first study of population genetics in this species. High levels of genetic diversity were observed following a panmictic pattern, probably related to the larval dispersal by the current tides along the Brazilian coast. In addition, both demographic history and neutrality tests indicated that L. alexandrei has undergone population expansion during Pleistocene. In this sense, the sea level variation from this period could have increased the available resources and suitable habitats for the Brazilian snapper. creator: Ivana Veneza creator: Raimundo da Silva creator: Charles Ferreira creator: Patrícia Mendonça creator: Iracilda Sampaio creator: Grazielle Evangelista-Gomes uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15973 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Veneza et al.