title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=705 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Sexual dimorphism in shell size of the land snail Leptopoma perlucidum (Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoridae) link: https://peerj.com/articles/13501 last-modified: 2022-05-27 description: Sexual dimorphism in the shell size and shape of land snails has been less explored compared to that of other marine and freshwater snail taxa. This study examined the differences in shell size and shape across both sexes of Leptopoma perlucidum land snails. We collected 84 land snails of both sexes from two isolated populations on two islands off Borneo. A total of five shell size variables were measured: (1) shell height, (2) shell width, (3) shell spire height, (4) aperture height, and (5) aperture width. We performed frequentist and Bayesian t-tests to determine if there was a significant difference between the two sexes of L. perlucidum on each of the five shell measurements. Additionally, the shell shape was quantified based on nine landmark points using the geometric morphometric approach. We used generalised Procrustes and principal component analyses to test the effects of sex and location on shell shape. The results showed that female shells were larger than male shells across all five measurements (all with p-values < 0.05), but particularly in regards to shell height and shell width. Future taxonomic studies looking to resolve the Leptopoma species’ status should consider the variability of shell size caused by sexual dimorphism. creator: Chee-Chean Phung creator: Ming-Huei Choo creator: Thor-Seng Liew uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13501 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Phung et al. title: Anticancer mechanism of 7-α-hydroxyfrullanolide on microtubules and computational prediction of its target binding in triple-negative breast cancer cells link: https://peerj.com/articles/13508 last-modified: 2022-05-27 description: BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) responds poorly to the available drugs; thus, the mortality rate associated with TNBC remains high. 7-α-Hydroxyfrullanolide (7HF) possesses anticancer properties and arrests cells in the G2/M-phase via modulation of several proteins involved in the G2/M-phase transition, as well as the mitotic checkpoint in MDA-MB-468 (TNBC) cells. Microtubules (MTs) dynamically regulate cell division in the G2/M phase and are related to cancer cell stress response. However, antimitotic drug cytotoxicity to multiple cancer resistance developed in response to drugs are obstacles faced to date. Here, the activity and mechanism via which 7HF controls MTs dynamics was investigated in MDA-MB-468 cells.Methods7HF uptake by MDA-MB-468 cells was assessed using spectrophotometry. The drug-like properties of 7HF were predicted using the Swiss-absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) webtool. Then, the effect of 7HF treatment (6, 12, and 24 µM) on the dynamic arrangement of MTs was assessed for 1, 12, and 24 h using indirect immunofluorescence. Polymerization of α- and β-tubulin was assessed using different 7HF concentrations in a cell-free system for 1 h. Cell proliferation assay with bromodeoxyuridine plus propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry was performed at different 7HF concentrations and time points. The mechanism of action was assessed by detecting the expression of proteins, including Bub3, cyclin B1, p-Cdk1 (Tyr15), Rb, p-Rb (Ser780), Chk1, p-Chk1 (Ser345), Chk2, p-Chk2 (Ser516), and p-H2AX (Ser139), using western blotting. Molecular docking was used to predict the molecular interactions between 7HF and tubulins in MTs.ResultsWe observed that 7HF was able to enter the MDA-MB-468 cells. The ADME webtool analysis predicted that it possesses the high passive permeation and gastrointestinal absorption properties of drugs. Various concentrations of 7HF disrupted the dynamic arrangement of spindle MTs by causing radial spindle array shrinkage and expansion of fibrous spindle density and radial array lengths in a time-dependent manner. 7HF reduced polymerization of α-, β-tubulin in dose-dependent manner. 7HF also triggered DNA damage response by inducing G2/M and G1 phase arrests in a concentration and time-dependent manner, which occurred due to the upregulation of Bub3, Chk1, p-Chk1 (Ser345), p-Cdk1 (Tyr15), and cyclin B1. According to molecular docking analysis, 7HF preferred to bind to β-tubulin over α-tubulin. The lactone, ketone, and hydroxyl groups of 7HF supported the 7HF-tubulin interactions. Hydrogen bonding with a hydrocarbon ring and salt bridge attractive forces were responsible for the binding versatility of 7HF.ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the molecular mechanism, MTs interacting sites, and the internalization and drug-like properties of 7HF in TNBC cells. The findings will be useful for developing 7HF-based treatment for patients with TNBC. creator: Siriphorn Chimplee creator: Carl Smythe creator: Varomyalin Tipmanee creator: Suchada Sukrong creator: Kanyanatt Kanokwiroon uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13508 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Chimplee et al. title: Predicting habitat suitability and range shifts under projected climate change for two octocorals in the north-east Atlantic link: https://peerj.com/articles/13509 last-modified: 2022-05-27 description: Species distribution models have become a valuable tool to predict the distribution of species across geographic space and time. In this study, maximum entropy models were constructed for two temperate shallow-water octocoral species, the pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa) and dead man’s fingers (Alcyonium digitatum), to investigate and compare habitat suitability. The study area covered the north-east Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to the British Isles and southern Norway; this area includes both the northern range of E. verrucosa and the middle-northern range of A. digitatum. The optimal models for each species showed that, overall, slope, temperature at the seafloor and wave orbital velocity were important predictors of distribution in both species. Predictions of habitat suitability showed areas of present-day (1951–2000) suitable habitat where colonies have not yet been observed, particularly for E. verrucosa, where areas beyond its known northern range limit were identified. Moreover, analysis with future layers (2081–2100) of temperature and oxygen concentration predicted a sizable increase in habitat suitability for E. verrucosa beyond these current range limits under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. This suggests that projected climate change may induce a potential range expansion northward for E. verrucosa, although successful colonisation would also be conditional on other factors such as dispersal and interspecific competition. For A. digitatum, this scenario of projected climate change may result in more suitable habitat in higher latitudes, but, as with E. verrucosa, there is a degree of uncertainty in the model predictions. Importantly, the results from this study highlight present-day areas of high habitat suitability which, if combined with knowledge on population density, could be used to identify priority areas to enhance protection and ensure the long-term survival of these octocoral species in the region. creator: Tom L. Jenkins creator: Jamie R. Stevens uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13509 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Jenkins and Stevens title: Animal reactivity to camera traps and its effects on abundance estimate using distance sampling in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire link: https://peerj.com/articles/13510 last-modified: 2022-05-27 description: The use of camera traps (CTs) has become an increasingly popular method of studying wildlife, as CTs are able to detect rare, nocturnal, and elusive species in remote and difficult-to-access areas. It thus makes them suited to estimate animal density and abundance, identify activity patterns and new behaviours of animals. However, animals can react when they see the CTs and this can lead to bias in the animal population estimates. While CTs may provide many advantages, an improved understanding of their impacts on individual’s behaviour is necessary to avoid erroneous density estimates. Yet, the impact of CTs on detected individuals, such as human odour near the device and the environment, or the infrared illumination, has received relatively little attention. To date, there is no clear procedure to remove this potential bias. Here, we use camera trap distance sampling (CTDS) to (1) quantify the bias resulting from the different animal responses to the CTs when determining animal density and abundance, and (2) test if olfactory, visual and auditory signals have an influence on the animals’ reaction to CTs. Between March 2019 and March 2020, we deployed CTs at 267 locations distributed systematically over the entire Taï National Park. We obtained 58,947 videos from which we analysed four medium- to-large-bodied species (Maxwell’s duiker (Philantomba maxwellii), Jentink’s duiker (Cephalophus jentinki), pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) and Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus)) displaying different behaviours towards the CTs. We then established species-specific ethograms describing the behavioural responses to the CTs. Using these species-specific responses, we observed that the Maxwell’s duiker reacted weakly to CTs (about 0.11% of the distance data), contrary to Jentink’s duiker, pygmy hippopotamus and Western chimpanzee which reacted with relatively high frequencies, representing 32.82%, 52.96% and 16.14% of the distance data, respectively. Not taking into account the species-specific responses to the CTs can lead to an artificial doubling or tripling of the populations’ sizes. All species reacted more to the CTs at close distances. Besides, the Jentink’s duiker and the pygmy hippopotamus reacted significantly more to the CTs at night than during the day. Finally, as for olfactory signals, the probability of reaction to the CTs during the first days after CTs installation was weak in Maxwell’s duiker, but concerned 18% of the video captures in Western chimpanzees which decreasing with time, but they remained high in pygmy hippopotamus and Jentink’s duiker (65% and 70% of the video captures respectively). Careful consideration should be given to animal’s response to CTs during the analysis and in the field, by reducing human’s impact around the CTs installation. creator: Noël Adiko Houa creator: Noémie Cappelle creator: Eloi Anderson Bitty creator: Emmanuelle Normand creator: Yves Aka Kablan creator: Christophe Boesch uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13510 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Houa et al. title: Trajectory patterns and factors influencing perinatal fatigue among Chinese women from late pregnancy to 6 months after delivery link: https://peerj.com/articles/13387 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: BackgroundPerinatal fatigue among women is related to the clinical outcomes of mothers and infants. Perinatal fatigue changes over time, and the trajectory varies according to the predictors and outcomes of the mothers. This, however, has not been documented in any study.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify and characterize the trajectory patterns of perinatal fatigue among women from late pregnancy to 6 months after delivery.MethodsWe used growth mixture modeling to estimate the trajectory of perinatal fatigue at 28 gestational weeks (T0), 37 gestational weeks (T1), 3 days (T2), 1 week (T3), 6 weeks (T4), and 6 months (T5) after delivery with (n = 1,030). The Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regression were used to tie the selected trajectory classes to predictors and outcomes.ResultsThere were two distinct patterns of perinatal fatigue in women: “persistently high” (11.1%, n = 114) and “persistently low” (88.9%, n = 916). Levels of perinatal fatigue among women in the “persistently high” group were higher than those in the “persistently low” group across the six measurements. Complications, fatigue at T0, and employment status in late pregnancy were all significant predictors of trajectories. Additionally, the “persistently high” group had a greater prevalence of difficult baby care and weight retention and a lower prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding.ConclusionsOur study proved the heterogeneity and characteristics of perinatal fatigue among women. Future research should concentrate on developing intervention packages targeted at specific individuals in order to alleviate perinatal fatigue in women. creator: Xiaoxiao Zhu creator: Haiou Xia uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13387 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Zhu and Xia title: Development of a bead-based assay for detection of three banana-infecting viruses link: https://peerj.com/articles/13409 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: BackgroundBanana bunchy top virus (BBTV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and banana streak virus (BSV) are important banana viruses, there are possible infections frequently with several viruses in field. Since the viruses are readily trasmitted in vegetative propagules, which pose a threat to banana production in banana-growing areas.MethodsA multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol combined with LiquiChip analysis to identify BSV, BBTV, and CMV, with consistent amplification of plant ubiquitin (UBQ), the banana plant messenger RNA used as a procedural control. Multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR amplicons were extended by allele-specific primers, followed by hybridization with carboxylated microspheres containing unique fluorescent oligonucleotides, which were detected using the LiquiChip 200 workstation.ResultsIn this study, we aimed to develop a rapid, sensitive, and simultaneous detection method for BSV, BBTV, and CMV using a bead-based multiplex assay that can be applied in routine diagnosis. We demonstrated that this detection system was extremely efficient and highly specialized for differentiating individual in a mixture of viruses while being ten times more sensitive than traditional RT-PCR. The development of this method makes it feasible to detect banana viruses in field collected leaf samples. creator: Cheng-Ping Kuan creator: Chia-Hsin Tsai creator: Ching-Shan Tseng creator: Tso-Chi Yang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13409 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Kuan et al. title: Dementia-related user-based collaborative filtering for imputing missing data and generating a reliability scale on clinical test scores link: https://peerj.com/articles/13425 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: Medical doctors may struggle to diagnose dementia, particularly when clinical test scores are missing or incorrect. In case of any doubts, both morphometrics and demographics are crucial when examining dementia in medicine. This study aims to impute and verify clinical test scores with brain MRI analysis and additional demographics, thereby proposing a decision support system that improves diagnosis and prognosis in an easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, we impute the missing clinical test score values by unsupervised dementia-related user-based collaborative filtering to minimize errors. By analyzing succession rates, we propose a reliability scale that can be utilized for the consistency of existing clinical test scores. The complete base of 816 ADNI1-screening samples was processed, and a hybrid set of 603 features was handled. Moreover, the detailed parameters in use, such as the best neighborhood and input features were evaluated for further comparative analysis. Overall, certain collaborative filtering configurations outperformed alternative state-of-the-art imputation techniques. The imputation system and reliability scale based on the proposed methodology are promising for supporting the clinical tests. creator: Savas Okyay creator: Nihat Adar uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13425 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Okyay and Adar title: Pachygenium laurense (Orchidaceae, Spiranthinae), a new orchid species from Argentina—morphological evidence and phylogenetic reconstruction link: https://peerj.com/articles/13433 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: BackgroundPachygenium embraces a group of terrestrial species formerly placed in Pelexia sensu lato. The genus currently comprises some 60 species, most of which are known from the southern parts of Brazil and Paraguay, with few species distributed in the Andean countries—only four species have been recorded from Argentina so far. In Jujuy Province, Argentina a new species of Pachygenium was found during our fieldwork. The aim of this article was to provide morphological and molecular evidence for its membership in this genus.MethodsMaterials from specimens were collected in the field and examined by classical taxonomic and molecular biological techniques, e.g., PCR and sequencing DNA. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed by maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference.ResultsPachygenium laurense from Argentina is described and illustrated based on morphological evidence and its taxonomic position was confirmed by phylogenetic analyses. A new combination for Pachygenium gutturosa is also proposed. A key for identification is provided for the Pachygenium species occurring in Argentina.ConclusionPachygenium laurense is the fifth species of the genus recorded from Argentina. creator: Claudia M. Martin creator: Adriana Marisel Morales creator: Magdalena Dudek creator: Dariusz L. Szlachetko uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13433 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 M. Martin et al. title: The impact of different feeds on DNA methylation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathway, and gene expression of sheep muscle link: https://peerj.com/articles/13455 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulatory form that regulates gene expression and tissue development. This study compared the effects of high fiber, low protein (HFLP) and low fiber, high protein (LFHP) diets on the DNA methylation profile of twin lambs’ muscles, their effect on glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and related pathways by transcriptome and deep whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Results identified 1,945 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 1,471 differentially methylated genes (DMGs). Also, 487 differentially expressed transcripts belonging to 368 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered between the twin lambs under different diets. Eleven overlapped genes were detected between the DEGs and the DMGs. FKBP5 and FOXO1 were detected to be significantly different. The FOXO1 regulated cAMP and the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. The glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and the FOXO pathways were significantly enriched. The expressions of HOMER1 and FOXO1 in the HFLP group were significantly higher than those in the LFHP group. There is a significant correlation between the upregulated gene expression and hypomethylation of HOMER1 and FOXO1 gene in HFLP group. The results showed that FOXO1 induces PDK4 expression in muscle while regulating FKBP5 activity, which stimulates glucose production by activating specific gluconeogenesis target genes. The FOXO1 was able to regulate the glucose metabolism, the cAMP and the occurrence of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. This study showed that feed type can affect the methylation levels of the glycolysis related gluconeogenesis genes and interaction pathways, providing new ideas for a better understanding of the regulation of muscle energy metabolism and feed development. creator: Feng Song creator: Zaccheaus Pazamilala Akonyani creator: Ying Li creator: Deqiqige Su creator: Lantuya Wu creator: Yue Pang creator: Sile Hu creator: Dubala Wu creator: Chun Li creator: Ding Yang creator: Jianghong Wu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13455 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Song et al. title: Application of hydrophilic polymers for the preparation of tadalafil solid dispersions: micromeritics properties, release and erectile dysfunction studies in male rats link: https://peerj.com/articles/13482 last-modified: 2022-05-26 description: The objective of the present study was to improve the dissolution rate and aphrodisiac activity of tadalafil by using hydrophilic polymers. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation-Rota evaporator using Koliphore 188, Kollidon® VA64, and Kollidon® 30 polymers in a 1:1 ratio. Prepared tadalafil-solid dispersions (SDs) evaluated for yield, drug content, micromeritics properties, physicochemical characterizations, and aphrodisiac activity assessment. The optimized SDs TK188 showed size (2.175 ± 0.24 µm), percentage of content (98.89 ± 1.23%), yield (87.27 ± 3.13%), bulk density (0.496 ± 0.005 g/cm3), true density (0.646 ± 0.003 g/cm3), Carr’s index (23.25 ± 0.81), Hausner ratio (1.303 ± 0.003) and angle of repose (<25°). FTIR spectrums revealed tadalafil doesn’t chemically interact with used polymers. XRD and DSC analysis represents TK188 SDs were in the amorphous state. Drug release was 97.17 ± 2.43% for TK188, whereas it was 32.76 ± 2.65% for pure drug at the end of 2 h with 2.96-fold increase in dissolution and followed release kinetics of Korsmeyer Peppa’s model. MDT and DE were noted to be 17.48 minutes and 84.53%, respectively. Furthermore, TK188 SDs showed relative improvement in the sexual behavior of the male rats. Thus the developed SDs TK188 could be potential tadalafil carriers for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. creator: Mohammed Muqtader Ahmed creator: Md Khalid Anwer creator: Gamal A. Soliman creator: Mohammed F. Aldawsari creator: Abdul Aleem Mohammed creator: Sultan Alshehri creator: Mohammed M. Ghoneim creator: Amer S. Alali creator: Abdullah Alshetaili creator: Ahmed Alalaiwe creator: Sarah I. Bukhari creator: Ameeduzzafar Zafar uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13482 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Ahmed et al.