title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=576 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: COVID-19 induced birth sex ratio changes in England and Wales link: https://peerj.com/articles/14618 last-modified: 2023-02-17 description: BackgroundThe sex ratio at birth (male live births divided by total live births) may be a sentinel health indicator. Stressful events reduce this ratio 3–5 months later by increasing male fetal loss. This ratio can also change 9 months after major population events that are linked to an increase or decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse at the population level, with the ratio either rising or falling respectively after the event. We postulated that the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the ratio in England and Wales.MethodsPublicly available, monthly live birth data for England and Wales was obtained from the Office for National Statistics up to December 2020. Using time series analysis, the sex ratio at birth for 2020 (global COVID-19 onset) was predicted using data from 2012–2019. Observed and predicted values were compared.ResultsFrom 2012–2020 there were 3,133,915 male and 2,974,115 female live births (ratio 0.5131). Three months after COVID-19 was declared pandemic (March 2020), there was a significant fall in the sex ratio at birth to 0.5100 in June 2020 which was below the 95% prediction interval of 0.5102–0.5179. Nine months after the pandemic declaration, (December 2020), there was a significant rise to 0.5171 (95% prediction interval 0.5085–0.5162). However, December 2020 had the lowest number of live births of any month from 2012–2020.ConclusionsGiven that June 2020 falls within the crucial window when population stressors are known to affect the sex ratio at birth, these findings imply that the start of the COVID-19 pandemic caused population stress with notable effects on those who were already pregnant by causing a disproportionate loss of male fetuses. The finding of a higher sex ratio at birth in December 2020, i.e., 9 months after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, could have resulted from the lockdown restrictions that initially spurred more sexual activity in a subset of the population in March 2020. creator: Gwinyai Masukume creator: Margaret Ryan creator: Rumbidzai Masukume creator: Dorota Zammit creator: Victor Grech creator: Witness Mapanga creator: Yosuke Inoue uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14618 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Masukume et al. title: Individual and combined effect of organic eutrophication (DOC) and ocean warming on the ecophysiology of the Octocoral Pinnigorgia flava link: https://peerj.com/articles/14812 last-modified: 2023-02-17 description: Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enrichment and ocean warming both negatively affect hard corals, but studies on their combined effects on other reef organisms are scarce. Octocorals are likely to become key players in future reef communities, but they are still highly under-investigated with regard to their responses to global and local environmental changes. Thus, we evaluated the individual and combined effects of DOC enrichment (10, 20 and 40 mg L−1 DOC, added as glucose) and warming (stepwise from 26 to 32 °C) on the widespread Indo-Pacific gorgonian Pinnigorgia flava in a 45-day laboratory experiment. Oxygen fluxes (net photosynthesis and respiration), as well as Symbiodiniaceae cell density and coral growth were assessed. Our results highlight a differential ecophysiological response to DOC enrichment and warming as well as their combination. Individual DOC addition did not significantly affect oxygen fluxes nor Symbiodiniaceae cell density and growth, while warming significantly decreased photosynthesis rates and Symbiodiniaceae cell density. When DOC enrichment and warming were combined, no effect on P. flava oxygen fluxes was observed while growth responded to certain DOC conditions depending on the temperature. Our findings indicate that P. flava is insensitive to the individual effect of DOC enrichment, but not to warming and the two stressors combined. This suggests that, if temperature remains below certain thresholds, this gorgonian species may gain a competitive advantage over coral species that are reportedly more affected by DOC eutrophication. However, under the expected increasing temperature scenarios, it is also likely that this octocoral species will be negatively affected, with potential consequences on community structure. This study contributes to our understanding of the conditions that drive phase shift dynamics in coastal coral reef ecosystemds. creator: Edoardo Zelli creator: Susana Marcela Simancas-Giraldo creator: Nan Xiang creator: Claudia Dessì creator: Nadim Daniel Katzer creator: Arjen Tilstra creator: Christian Wild uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14812 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Zelli et al. title: Cross-modal and subliminal effects of smell and color link: https://peerj.com/articles/14874 last-modified: 2023-02-17 description: In the present study, we examined whether the cross-modal effect can be obtained between odors and colors, which has been confirmed under olfactory recognizable conditions and also occurs under unrecognizable conditions. We used two flavors of red fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes for this purpose. We also aimed to compare whether similar cross-modal effects could be achieved by setting the flavors at recognizable (liminal) and unrecognizable (subliminal) concentrations in the experiment. One flavor at a normal concentration (0.1%, Liminal condition) and one at a concentration below the subliminal threshold (0.015%, Subliminal condition), were presented, and the color that resembled the smell most closely from among the 10 colors, was selected by participants. Except for the subliminal tomato condition, each odor was significantly associated with at least one color (p < 0.01). Participants selected pink and red for liminal strawberry (0.1%) (p < 0.05), pink for subliminal strawberry (0.015%) (p < 0.05), and orange for liminal tomato (0.1%) (p < 0.05), but there was no color selected for subliminal tomato (0.015%) (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the flavor of tomato produced a cross-modal effect in liminal conditions, but not in subliminal conditions. On the other hand, the results of the present study suggest that the flavor of strawberries produces a cross-modal effect even under subliminal conditions. This study showed that cross-modal effects might exist, even at unrecognizable levels of flavor. creator: Naoto Sato creator: Mana Miyamoto creator: Risa Santa creator: Ayaka Sasaki creator: Kenichi Shibuya uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14874 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Sato et al. title: Adaptive changes in bodybuilders in conditions of different energy supply modes and intensity of training load regimes using machine and free weight exercises link: https://peerj.com/articles/14878 last-modified: 2023-02-17 description: BackgroundThe research was aimed at comparing the effect of using two types of training load different in intensity and energy supply. We studied the influence of the proposed load variations (machine and free weight exercises) on long-term adaptation of the body at the stage of specialized basic training in bodybuilding.MethodsA total of 64 athletes aged 18–20 years were examined. The research participants were randomly divided into four groups, 16 athletes in each group. Athletes of group 1 and 3 used a complex of free weight exercises. Group 2 and 4 participants performed machine exercises. Bodybuilders of group 1 and 2 were trained in conditions of medium intensity training load (Ra = 0.58) in the anaerobic-glycolytic mode of energy supply. Athletes of the 3rd and 4th groups used high intensity load (Ra = 0.71) in the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply. We managed to determine the nature of adaptation processes using methods of control testing of strength capabilities, bioimpedansometry, anthropometry, biochemical analysis of blood serum (LDH, creatinine).ResultsThe study showed that the difference in the dynamics of the participants’ maximum strength development (on example of chest muscles) did not depend on the content of machine or free weight exercises, but on the features of training load regimes. Thus, the controlled indicator of strength capabilities in athletes of groups 3 and 4 increased by 5.1% compared to groups 1 and 2. During all stages of the study, the indicators of the projectile working mass in athletes of groups 3 and 4 exceeded the results observed in groups 1 and 2 by 25.9%. At the same time, the amount of load in a set is on average 2 times higher in athletes of groups 1 and 2. Group 4 athletes, who used machine exercises and high intensity training load, increased the circumferential body measurements by 3.8 times (the chest), compared to the results recorded in group 1 athletes. Athletes of group 1 and 2 showed increasing in body fat by 3.4% compared to the initial level on the background of large load volume. The basal creatine level in bodybuilders of groups 3 and 4 increased by 3.7 times after 12 weeks of study, which indicates an accelerated growth of muscle mass.ConclusionThe most pronounced adaptive body changes in bodybuilders at the stage of specialized basic training occurred during high intensity training load and anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode. Machine exercises contributed to increasing the morpho functional indicators of athletes more than free weight exercises. creator: Andrii Chernozub creator: Veaceslav Manolachi creator: Anatolii Tsos creator: Vladimir Potop creator: Georgiy Korobeynikov creator: Victor Manolachi creator: Liudmyla Sherstiuk creator: Jie Zhao creator: Ion Mihaila uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14878 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Chernozub et al. title: Geometric variation of the human tibia-fibula: a public dataset of tibia-fibula surface meshes and statistical shape model link: https://peerj.com/articles/14708 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: BackgroundVariation in tibia geometry is a risk factor for tibial stress fractures. Geometric variability in bones is often quantified using statistical shape modelling. Statistical shape models (SSM) offer a method to assess three-dimensional variation of structures and identify the source of variation. Although SSM have been used widely to assess long bones, there is limited open-source datasets of this kind. Overall, the creation of SSM can be an expensive process, that requires advanced skills. A publicly available tibia shape model would be beneficial as it enables researchers to improve skills. Further, it could benefit health, sport and medicine with the potential to assess geometries suitable for medical equipment, and aid in clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to: (i) quantify tibial geometry using a SSM; and (ii) provide the SSM and associated code as an open-source dataset.MethodsLower limb computed tomography (CT) scans from the right tibia-fibula of 30 cadavers (male n = 20, female n = 10) were obtained from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database. Tibias were segmented and reconstructed into both cortical and trabecular sections. Fibulas were segmented as a singular surface. The segmented bones were used to develop three SSM of the: (i) tibia; (ii) tibia-fibula; and (iii) cortical-trabecular. Principal component analysis was applied to obtain the three SSM, with the principal components that explained 95% of geometric variation retained.ResultsOverall size was the main source of variation in all three models accounting for 90.31%, 84.24% and 85.06%. Other sources of geometric variation in the tibia surface models included overall and midshaft thickness; prominence and size of the condyle plateau, tibial tuberosity, and anterior crest; and axial torsion of the tibial shaft. Further variations in the tibia-fibula model included midshaft thickness of the fibula; fibula head position relative to the tibia; tibia and fibula anterior-posterior curvature; fibula posterior curvature; tibia plateau rotation; and interosseous width. The main sources of variation in the cortical-trabecular model other than general size included variation in the medulla cavity diameter; cortical thickness; anterior-posterior shaft curvature; and the volume of trabecular bone in the proximal and distal ends of the bone.ConclusionVariations that could increase the risk of tibial stress injury were observed, these included general tibial thickness, midshaft thickness, tibial length and medulla cavity diameter (indicative of cortical thickness). Further research is needed to better understand the effect of these tibial-fibula shape characteristics on tibial stress and injury risk. This SSM, the associated code, and three use examples for the SSM have been provided in an open-source dataset. The developed tibial surface models and statistical shape model will be made available for use at: https://simtk.org/projects/ssm_tibia. creator: Meghan Keast creator: Jason Bonacci creator: Aaron Fox uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14708 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Keast et al. title: Ubiquitin specific peptidases and prostate cancer link: https://peerj.com/articles/14799 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: Protein ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification mechanism, which regulates protein stability and activity. The ubiquitination of proteins can be reversed by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), the largest DUB subfamily, can regulate cellular functions by removing ubiquitin(s) from the target proteins. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the development of PCa is highly correlated with USPs. The expression of USPs is either high or low in PCa cells, thereby regulating the downstream signaling pathways and causing the development or suppression of PCa. This review summarized the functional roles of USPs in the development PCa and explored their potential applications as therapeutic targets for PCa. creator: Yunfei Guo creator: Shuaishuai Cui creator: Yuanyuan Chen creator: Song Guo creator: Dahu Chen uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14799 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Guo et al. title: Abundance modulates the ecosystem functional contributions of two sympatric Caribbean sea cucumbers link: https://peerj.com/articles/14823 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: In highly diverse systems such as coral reefs, many species appear to fulfil similar ecological roles, suggesting that they might be ecologically equivalent. However, even if species provide similar functions, the magnitude of those roles could modulate their impact within ecosystems. Here, we compare the functional contributions of two common, co-occurring Caribbean sea cucumber species, Holothuria mexicana and Actynopyga agassizii, in terms of ammonium provisioning and sediment processing on Bahamian patch reefs. We quantified these functions through empirical measures of ammonium excretion, and in situ observations of sediment processing coupled with fecal pellet collections. On a per-individual level, H. mexicana excreted approximately 23% more ammonium and processed approximately 53% more sediment per hour than A. agassizii. However, when we combined these species-specific functional rates to species abundances to produce reef-wide estimates, we found that A. agassizii contributed more than H. mexicana to sediment processing at 57% of reefs (1.9 times more per unit area across all surveyed reefs), and more to ammonium excretion at 83% of reefs (5.6 times more ammonium per unit area across all surveyed reefs), owing to its higher abundance. We conclude that sea cucumber species can differ in the rates at which they deliver per capita ecosystem functions but their ecological impacts at the population level depend on their abundance at a given location. creator: Rachel Munger creator: Hannah V. Watkins creator: Jillian C. Dunic creator: Isabelle M. Côté uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14823 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Munger et al. title: Splice site m6A methylation prevents binding of DGCR8 to suppress KRT4 pre-mRNA splicing in oral squamous cell carcinoma link: https://peerj.com/articles/14824 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 11th most prevalent tumor worldwide. Despite advantages of therapeutic approaches, the 5-year survival rate of patients with OSCC is less than 50%. It is urgent to elucidate mechanisms underlying OSCC progression for developing novel treatment strategies. Our recent study has revealed that Keratin 4 (KRT4) suppresses OSCC development, which is downregulated in OSCC. Nevertheless, the mechanism downregulating KRT4 in OSCC remains unknown. In this study, touchdown PCR was utilized to detect KRT4 pre-mRNA splicing, while m6A RNA methylation was identified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP). Besides, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to determine RNA-protein interaction. Herein, this study indicated that intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA was suppressed in OSCC. Mechanistically, m6A methylation of exon-intron boundaries prevented intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA in OSCC. Besides, m6A methylation suppressed the binding of splice factor DGCR8 microprocessor complex subunit (DGCR8) to exon-intron boundaries in KRT4 pre-mRNA to prohibit intron splicing of KRT4 pre-mRNA in OSCC. These findings revealed the mechanism downregulating KRT4 in OSCC and provided potential therapeutic targets for OSCC. creator: Xiaoxu Li creator: Juan Fang creator: Xiaoan Tao creator: Juan Xia creator: Bin Cheng creator: Yun Wang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14824 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2023 Li et al. title: Diversity and structural analysis of rhizosphere soil microbial communities in wild and cultivated Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae and their effects on the accumulation of active components link: https://peerj.com/articles/14841 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: Rhizosphere microorganisms are the main factors affecting the formation of high quality medicinal materials and promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. However, the composition, diversity, and function of rhizosphere microbial communities in endangered wild and cultivated Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM) and their relationships with active component accumulation have remained unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing and correlation analysis were used to study the rhizosphere microbial community diversity (bacteria and fungi) of three RAM species and its correlation with the accumulation of polysaccharides, atractylone, and lactones (I, II, and III). A total of 24 phyla, 46 classes, and 110 genera were detected. The dominant taxa were Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. The microbial communities in both wild and artificially cultivated soil samples were extremely species-rich, but there were some differences in their structure and the relative abundances of microorganism taxa. Meanwhile, the contents of effective components in wild RAM were significantly higher than those in cultivated RAM. Correlation analysis showed that 16 bacterial and 10 fungal genera were positively or negatively correlated with active ingredient accumulation. These results showed that rhizosphere microorganisms could play an important role in component accumulation and might lay a foundation for future research on endangered materials. creator: Pingping Song creator: Junling Liu creator: Peng Huang creator: Zhili Han creator: Dianlei Wang creator: Nianxia Sun uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14841 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Song et al. title: Developing community pharmacists’ role in the management of type 2 diabetes and related microvascular complications: a nationwide survey in Australia link: https://peerj.com/articles/14849 last-modified: 2023-02-16 description: BackgroundCommunity pharmacists have regular interactions with people living with type 2 diabetes to supply medications, and have a potential role in supporting other primary care professionals in the screening, management, monitoring and facilitation of timely referral of microvascular complications. This study aimed to investigate the contemporary and future roles of community pharmacists in diabetes-related microvascular complication management.MethodsThis study involved an online Australian nation-wide survey of pharmacists administered via Qualtrics® and distributed through social media platforms, state and national pharmacy organisations, and via major banner groups. Descriptive analyses were undertaken using SPSS.ResultsAmong 77 valid responses, 72% of pharmacists already provided blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring services for the management of type 2 diabetes. Only 14% reported providing specific microvascular complication services. Over 80% identified a need for a comprehensive microvascular complication monitoring and referral service, and agreed it is feasible and within the scope of practice of a pharmacist. Almost all respondents agreed that they would implement and provide a monitoring and referral service if provided with appropriate training and resources. Potential barriers to service implementation were competing demands and lack of remuneration and awareness among consumers and health professionals.ConclusionsType 2 diabetes services in Australian community pharmacies do not currently focus on microvascular complication management. There appears to be strong support for implementing a novel screening, monitoring and referral service via community pharmacy to facilitate timely access to care. Successful implementation would require additional pharmacist training, and identification of efficient pathways for service integration and remuneration. creator: Louise Woodhams creator: Leanne Chalmers creator: Graham S. Hillis creator: Tin Fei Sim uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14849 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2023 Woodhams et al.