title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=465 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Mastigodiaptomus galapagoensis n. sp. (Crustacea: Copepoda: Diaptomidae), a possibly extinct copepod from a crater lake of the Galápagos archipelago link: https://peerj.com/articles/15807 last-modified: 2023-08-11 description: BackgroundA new species of a Neotropical diaptomid copepod is described based on individuals recovered from a small, almost forgotten collection of unique plankton samples from El Junco, a crater lake in San Cristóbal island, Galápagos archipelago. This copepod was regularly reported (1966–2004) as an abundant zooplankter in the lake, but it was not found in subsequent plankton surveys (2007–2018), and its specific identity remained unknown. In 2020, it was declared extinct because of introduced fish predation, rotenone treatment, and other major disturbances. The taxonomic examination of these invaluable specimens allowed us to recognize them as representing an undescribed species of the freshwater diaptomid genus MastigodiaptomusLight, 1939.MethodsHere, we describe the new species from El Junco crater lake, located in the San Cristóbal island a part of the Galápagos archipelago, collected with plankton nets. The description is based on detailed morphology, based on SEM and light microscopy.ResultsThe taxonomic examination of these invaluable specimens allowed us to recognize them as representing an undescribed species of the freshwater diaptomid genus MastigodiaptomusLight, 1939. The new species was readily assigned to this genus and is distinguished from its known congeners by details of (1) the male right fifth leg terminal claw and aculeus, (2) spiniform processes pattern of the right geniculate antennule segments 10–16, (3) length and structure of the spiniform process of the antepenultimate segment of the male right antennule, and (4) details of the dorsal process on the female fourth pediger. This finding represents the first report of this Neotropical copepod genus outside its original biogeographic region, the third species of a diaptomid copepod reported from insular freshwater systems, the southernmost record of Mastigodiaptomus, and the only freshwater calanoid in the Galápagos. The intriguing presence of this chiefly Neotropical copepod genus here could be related either to (1) human agency linked to pirate activities, commercial travelling by Spaniard ships, whaling activities, and intense tortoise hunting in San Cristóbal island. In the past, El Junco was the only freshwater source 600 nautical miles around, or (2) zoochory of resistant dormant stages passively transported by more than 65 migrating bird species known to settle in San Cristóbal. These two hypotheses cannot be properly tested at this time, so the explanation of the presence of this copepod will remain as a new open question in the fascinating natural history of the Galápagos. creator: Manuel Elías-Gutiérrez creator: Miriam Steinitz-Kannan creator: Eduardo Suárez-Morales creator: Carlos López uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15807 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Elías-Gutiérrez et al. title: Biological properties of mucus from land snails (Lissachatina fulica) and freshwater snails (Pomacea canaliculata) and histochemical study of mucous cells in their foot link: https://peerj.com/articles/15827 last-modified: 2023-08-11 description: BackgroundMucus derived from many land snails has been extensively utilised in medicine and cosmetics, but some biological activities of the mucus need to be well documented. Nevertheless, most mucus is obtained from land snails, while mucus from freshwater snails has yet to be attended.MethodsThis study aims to determine and compare mucus’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities from the land snail Lissachatina fulica and the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. ABTS, DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the histochemical analysis of mucous cells in each snail foot was conducted to compare the distribution of mucous cells and types of mucins using periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue staining.ResultsMucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in different parameters. L. fulica mucus has higher total antioxidant (44.71 ± 2.11 mg AAE/g) and nitric oxide inhibitory activities (IC50 = 9.67 ± 0.31 µg/ml), whereas P. canaliculata mucus has better-reducing power activity (43.63 ± 2.47 mg AAE/g) and protein denaturation inhibition (IC50 = 0.60 ± 0.03 mg/ml). Histochemically, both species’ dorsal and ventral foot regions contained neutral and acid mucins in different quantities. In the dorsal region, the neutral mucins level in L. fulica (16.64 ± 3.46%) was significantly higher than that in P. canaliculata (11.19 ± 1.50%), while the acid mucins level showed no significant difference between species. Levels of both mucins in the ventral foot region of L. fulica (15.08 ± 3.97% and 10.76 ± 3.00%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of P. canaliculata (2.25 ± 0.48% and 2.71 ± 0.56%, respectively). This study revealed scientific evidence of the biological capacity of mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata as well as provided helpful information on the region of the foot which produces effective mucus. creator: Phornphan Phrompanya creator: Narinnida Suriyaruean creator: Nattawadee Nantarat creator: Supap Saenphet creator: Yingmanee Tragoolpua creator: Kanokporn Saenphet uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15827 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Phrompanya et al. title: Superoxide dismutase ameliorates oxidative stress and regulates liver transcriptomics to provide therapeutic benefits in hepatic inflammation link: https://peerj.com/articles/15829 last-modified: 2023-08-11 description: BackgroundOxidative stress refers to the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in organisms and often induces hepatic inflammation. Supplementing exogenous superoxide dismutase is an effective way to alleviate oxidative stress; however, the effects and mechanisms by which superoxide dismutase alleviates hepatic inflammation remain unclear.MethodsThis study established a Kunming mouse model to verify and investigate the oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation-alleviating effects of the superoxide dismutase oral supplement that was prepared by our research group in a previous study.ResultsThe superoxide dismutase product significantly restored the body weight and liver alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase levels of oxidative stress induced mice. Moreover, exogenous superoxide dismutase significantly inhibited interleukin 1β and interleukin 6 mRNA expression in the livers of mice with hepatic inflammation. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that superoxide dismutase had a significant inhibitory effect on Endog expression, alleviating oxidative stress damage, and mediating liver cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of Rab5if, Hnrnpab, and Ifit1.ConclusionOur research verified the oxidative stress remediation effects of superoxide dismutase and its therapeutic role against hepatic inflammation. This study can lay a foundation for investigating the mechanism by which superoxide dismutase alleviates hepatic disease. creator: Longyan Chen creator: Yang Liu creator: Yonggang Zhang creator: Yanmin Zhang creator: Wei Wang creator: Hongyu Han creator: Chunyu Yang creator: Xueqian Dong uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15829 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Chen et al. title: The moderating and mediating effects of personality on the association between morningness and well-being link: https://peerj.com/articles/15861 last-modified: 2023-08-11 description: BackgroundMorningness (morning-eveningness preference or chronotypes) and personality can be both associated with well-being, but few studies have directly compared these two constructs as correlates of well-being. Thus, the first purpose of this study was to test the effects of interactions between stable personality traits (temperaments) and morningness on well-being. Furthermore, personality factors are often composed of both stable biological factors (temperament) and socio-cultural factors (character), and little is known about personality interplay of temperament and character factors with respect to morningness and well-being. The second purpose of this study was therefore to examine the sequential mediating effects of temperament and character factors on the relationship between morningness and well-being.MethodsThe Composite Scale of Morningness, the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised Short Version (TCI-RS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to measure morningness, personality dimensions, and well-being, respectively, in 287 Korean university students. Moderating and sequentially mediating effects of temperament and character traits were determined using Hayes’ PROCESS macro in SPSS after controlling for sex and age.ResultsFirst, novelty-seeking (NS) and persistence (PS) temperaments have demonstrated the moderating effect in the association between morningness and well-being. The positive effects of morningness on life satisfaction increased with lower NS and PS, respectively. However, other temperaments such as harm avoidance (HA) and reward dependence (RD) have not shown the moderation in the relationship between morningness on well-being. Second, HA temperament and self-directedness (SD) character sequentially mediated the relationship between morningness and well-being. The combination of low scores of HA and high scores of SD have shown the positive effect on the relationship between morningness and well-being.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that both the interactions between temperaments and morningness, and combination of specific TCI-RS temperament and character traits play important roles in influencing the association between morningness and well-being. The significance of the mature SD character and its implications for well-being are discussed with limitation of the present study. creator: Soo Jin Lee creator: Sudong Jeong creator: Han Chae uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15861 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Lee et al. title: The effects of trunk kinematics and EMG activity of wheelchair racing T54 athletes on wheelchair propulsion speeds link: https://peerj.com/articles/15792 last-modified: 2023-08-10 description: BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of trunk kinematic characteristics and trunk muscle electromyography (EMG) activity on propulsion speeds in wheelchair racing T54 athletes.MethodThe Vicon infrared high-speed 3D motion capture system was utilized to acquire kinematic data of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and trunk from twelve T54 athletes at four different speeds (5.55 m/s, 6.94 m/s, 8.33 m/s, and personal maximum speed). Additionally, the Trigno Wireless EMG system was employed to collect synchronous surface electromyography (EMG) data from the rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. The kinematics and EMG data of the trunk were compared across various wheelchair propulsion speeds while also examining the correlation coefficient between wheelchair propulsion speeds and: (1) the range of motion of upper limb joints as well as the trunk; (2) the maximum angular velocities of the upper limbs joints as well as the trunk; and (3) rectus abdominis and erector spinae EMG activity. Two multiple linear stepwise regression models were utilized to examine the impact of variables that had been identified as significant through correlation coefficient tests (1) and (2) on propulsion speed, respectively.ResultsThere were significant differences in the range of motion (p<0.01) and angular velocity (p<0.01) of the athlete’s trunk between different propulsion speeds. The range of motion (p<0.01, r = 0.725) and angular speed (p<0.01, r = 0.882) of the trunk showed a stronger correlation with propulsion speed than did upper limb joint movements. The multiple linear stepwise regression model revealed that the standardized β values of trunk motion range and angular velocity in athletes were greater than those of other independent variables in both models. In terms of the EMG variables, four of six variables from the rectus abdominis showed differences at different speeds (p<0.01), one of six variables from the erector spinae showed differences at different speeds (p<0.01). All six variables derived from the rectus abdominis exhibited a significant correlation with propulsion speed (p<0.05, r>0.3), while one variable derived from the erector spinae was found to be significantly correlated with propulsion speed (p<0.01, r = 0.551).ConclusionThe movement of the trunk plays a pivotal role in determining the propulsion speed of wheelchair racing T54 athletes. Athletes are advised to utilize trunk movements to enhance their wheelchair’s propulsion speed while also being mindful of the potential negative impact on sports performance resulting from excessive trunk elevation. The findings of this study indicate that it would be beneficial for wheelchair racing T54 athletes to incorporate trunk strength training into their overall strength training regimen, with a specific emphasis on enhancing the flexion and extension muscles of the trunk. creator: Wei Guo creator: Qian Liu creator: Peng Huang creator: Dan Wang creator: Lin Shi creator: Dong Han uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15792 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Guo et al. title: Effects of the CYP3A inhibitors, voriconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole on the pharmacokinetics of osimertinib in rats link: https://peerj.com/articles/15844 last-modified: 2023-08-10 description: BackgroundOsimertinib, as third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), is the first-line treatment approved to treat advanced T790M mutation-positive tumors. Triazole antifungals are therapeutic drugs for cancer patients to reduce the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Our objective was to investigate whether three triazole antifungals (voriconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole) could change the pharmacokinetics of osimertinib in rats.MethodsThe adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control (0.3% CMC-Na), and voriconazole (20 mg/kg), itraconazole (20 mg/kg), or fluconazole (20 mg/kg) combined with osimertinib (10 mg/kg) group. Tail vein blood samples were collected into heparin tubes at various time points within 0–48 h after osimertinib administration. Osimrtinib’s plasma concentration was detected using HPLC-MS/MS system equipped with a Waters XBridge C18 column, with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid water at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min.ResultsCo-administration with voriconazole or fluconazole increased the Cmax of osimertinib by 58.04% and 53.45%, respectively; the AUC0–t increased by 62.56% and 100.98%, respectively. However, when co-administered with itraconazole, the Cmax and AUC0–t of osimertinib only increased by 13.91% and 34.80%, respectively.ConclusionsOur results revealed that the pharmacokinetics of osimertinib were significantly changed by voriconazole and fluconazole in rats, whereas it was slightly affected by itraconazole. This work will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacokinetic properties of osimertinib when co-administered with triazole antifungals. creator: Yutao Lou creator: Feifeng Song creator: Mengting Cheng creator: Ying Hu creator: Yitao Chai creator: Qing Hu creator: Qiyue Wang creator: Hongying Zhou creator: Meihua Bao creator: Jinping Gu creator: Yiwen Zhang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15844 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Lou et al. title: EDIL3 is a potential prognostic biomarker that correlates with immune infiltrates in gastric cancer link: https://peerj.com/articles/15559 last-modified: 2023-08-09 description: BackgroundEDIL3, which contains epidermal growth factor-like repeats and discoidin I-like domains, is a secretory protein that plays an important role in embryonic development and various illnesses. However, the biological function of EDIL3 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. The objective of this research was to explore the role and potential mechanism of EDIL3 in GC.MethodsIn this study, we used the GEPIA, HPA, MethSurv, SMART, STRING, GeneMANIA, LinkedOmics TIMER, TIMER2.0, TISIDB, and RNAactDrug databases to comprehensively analyze the roles of EDIL3 in GC. To validate the in silico findings, EDIL3 expression was measured in our collected GC tissues. Meanwhile, several in vitro experiments were performed to test the function of EDIL3 in GC.ResultsWe found that EDIL3 was highly expressed in GC and associated with adverse clinical features. In vitro assays revealed that EDIL3 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. The functions of EDIL3 and co-expression genes were significantly associated with extracellular structure organization and matrix receptor interaction. EDIL3 expression was positively associated with numerous tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their biomarkers.ConclusionThis study determined that EDIL3 may function as an oncogene and is associated with immune infiltration in GC. EDIL3 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for GC. creator: Bin Ke creator: Zheng-Kai Liang creator: Bin Li creator: Xue-Jun Wang creator: Ning Liu creator: Han Liang creator: Ru-Peng Zhang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15559 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Ke et al. title: Validity and reliability of the Japanese versions of the coronavirus anxiety scale for adolescents and obsession with COVID-19 scale for adolescents link: https://peerj.com/articles/15710 last-modified: 2023-08-09 description: BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused mental health issues in both adults and adolescents. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) questionnaires measure anxiety and persistent and disturbed thoughts (also known as obsessions) related to COVID-19. We developed Japanese versions of the CAS (i.e., CAS-JA) and OCS (i.e., OCS-JA) questionnaires to make them suitable for adolescents and validated the characteristics of these scales.MethodsTwo online surveys were administered to high school students aged 15–18 years. A total of 263 students participated in the first survey and almost half of them participated in the second survey. In the first survey, participants responded to the CAS-JA, OCS-JA, generalized anxiety and obsessive–compulsive subscales of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and Kessler 6 Scale (K6). The SCAS and K6 were used to verify discriminant validity and inter-scale correlations. In the second survey, the participants completed the CAS-JA and OCS-JA again to verify test–retest reliability. We performed a confirmatory factor analysis and calculated the model fit indices. Additionally, we examined the internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and inter-item correlations of the CAS-JA and OCS-JA. Moreover, differences in CAS-JA and OCS-JA responses by gender and region of residence (state of emergency and non-emergency areas) were examined.ResultsThe results of the single-factor model confirmatory factor analysis of model fit indices were above the threshold. The required criteria for internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability, and discriminant and convergent validity were met in both the CAS-JA and OCS-JA. No statistically significant differences attributed to residence and gender were found in both questionnaires.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the CAS-JA and OCS-JA questionnaires are useful in measuring COVID-19-related anxiety, and persistent and disturbed thoughts in Japanese adolescents. creator: Takuya Makino creator: Sohei Ide creator: Tomoko Shiino creator: Daiki Hiraoka creator: Saeko Ishibashi creator: Futoshi Suzuki creator: Shota Nishitani uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15710 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Makino et al. title: Review of intervention methods for language and communication disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders link: https://peerj.com/articles/15735 last-modified: 2023-08-09 description: In recent years, the number of patients—particularly children—with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been continually increasing. ASD affects a child’s language communication and social interaction to a certain extent and has an impact on behavior, intelligence level, and other aspects of the child. Data indicates that 40% to 70% of children with ASD experience language developmental delays, which are mainly manifested as lack of language or language developmental delay, self-talk, use of stereotyped language, parroting, et cetera. A language communication disorder is a major symptom of ASD and is the most common reason for patients to visit a doctor. Therefore, language intervention training and communication skills have been made a cornerstone of autism intervention. However, a literature search has revealed that most studies only examine certain intervention methods or a combination of two or three intervention methods, which cannot be used by therapists or rehabilitation teachers. Therefore, this article summarizes relevant literature on language communication training for ASD children at home and abroad and briefly introduces the characteristics and training methods of language disorders in children with ASD in order to provide some ideas and references for relevant researchers and practitioners. creator: Mengmeng Cui creator: Qingbin Ni creator: Qian Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15735 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Cui et al. title: Range-wide phylogenomics of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) reveals deep north-south divergence in northern Peru link: https://peerj.com/articles/15787 last-modified: 2023-08-09 description: The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) inhabits myriad habitats throughout the Americas and shows complex patterns of individual and geographic morphological variation. The owl family Strigidae is known to follow ecogeographic rules, such as Gloger’s rule. Although untested at the species level, these ecogeographic rules may affect B. virginianus plumage coloration and body size. Previous studies have indicated that, despite this species’ morphological variability, little genetic differentiation exists across parts of their range. This study uses reduced representation genome-wide nuclear and complete mitochondrial DNA sequence data to assess range-wide relationships among B. virginianus populations and the disputed species status of B. v. magellanicus (Magellanic or Lesser Horned Owl) of the central and southern Andes. We found shallow phylogenetic relationships generally structured latitudinally to the north of the central Andes, and a deep divergence between a southern and northern clade close to the Marañón Valley in the central Andes, a common biogeographic barrier. We identify evidence of gene flow between B. v. magellanicus and other subspecies based on mitonuclear discordance and F-branch statistics. Overall differences in morphology, plumage coloration, voice, and genomic divergence support species status for B. v. magellanicus. creator: Emily N. Ostrow creator: Lucas H. DeCicco creator: Robert G. Moyle uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15787 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Ostrow et al.