title: PeerJ
description:  Articles published in PeerJ
link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=765
creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ
errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ
language: en

title: Differences in the composition and predicted functions of the intestinal microbiome of obese and normal weight adult dogs
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12695
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: Obesity is a multifactorial nutritional disorder highly prevalent in dogs, observed in developed and developing countries. It is estimated that over 40% of the canine population suffers from obesity, which manifests in an increased risk of chronic osteoarticular, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases. The intestinal microbiome of obese animals shows increases in the abundance of certain members capable of extracting energy from complex polysaccharides. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and predicted function of the intestinal microbiome of Chilean obese and normal weight adult dogs. Twenty clinically healthy dogs were classified according to their body condition score (BCS) as obese (n = 10) or normal weight (n = 10). DNA was extracted from stool samples, followed by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3–V4 region and bioinformatics analysis targeting microbiome composition and function. Significant differences were observed between these groups at the phylum level, with anincrease in Firmicutes and a decrease in Bacteroidetes in obese dogs. Microbiome compositions of these animals correlated with their BCS, and obese dogs showed enrichment in pathways related to transport, chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly. These results highlight the differences in the gut microbiome between normal weight and obese dogs and prompt further research to improve animal health by modulating the gut microbiome.
creator: Pamela Thomson
creator: Rodrigo Santibáñez
creator: Camila Rodríguez-Salas
creator: Carla Flores-Yañez
creator: Daniel Garrido
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12695
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Thomson et al.

title: Interrogating COVID-19 vaccine intent in the Philippines with a nationwide open-access online survey
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12887
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: To mitigate the unprecedented health, social, and economic damage of COVID-19, the Philippines is undertaking a nationwide vaccination program to mitigate the effects of the global pandemic. In this study, we interrogated COVID-19 vaccine intent in the country by deploying a nationwide open-access online survey, two months before the rollout of the national vaccination program. The Health Belief Model (HBM) posits that people are likely to adopt disease prevention behaviors and to accept medical interventions like vaccines if there is sufficient motivation and cues to action. A majority of our 7,193 respondents (62.5%) indicated that they were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Moreover, multivariable analysis revealed that HBM constructs were associated with vaccination intention in the Philippines. Perceptions of high susceptibility, high severity, and significant benefits were all good predictors for vaccination intent. We also found that external cues to action were important. Large majorities of our respondents would only receive the COVID-19 vaccines after many others had received it (72.8%) or after politicians had received it (68.2%). Finally, our study revealed that most (21%) were willing to pay an amount of PHP 1,000 (USD20) for the COVID-19 vaccines with an average willing-to-pay amount of PHP1,892 (USD38).
creator: Alexandria Caple
creator: Arnie Dimaano
creator: Marc Martin Sagolili
creator: April Anne Uy
creator: Panjee Mariel Aguirre
creator: Dean Lotus Alano
creator: Giselle Sophia Camaya
creator: Brent John Ciriaco
creator: Princess Jerah Mae Clavo
creator: Dominic Cuyugan
creator: Cleinne Florence Geeseler Fermo
creator: Paul Jeremy Lanete
creator: Ardwayne Jurel La Torre
creator: Thomas Loteyro
creator: Raisa Mikaela Lua
creator: Nicole Gayle Manansala
creator: Raphael Willard Mosquito
creator: Alexa Octaviano
creator: Alexandra Erika Orfanel
creator: Gheyanna Merly Pascual
creator: Aubrey Joy Sale
creator: Sophia Lorraine Tendenilla
creator: Maria Sofia Lauren Trinidad
creator: Nicole Jan Trinidad
creator: Daphne Louise Verano
creator: Nicanor Austriaco
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12887
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Caple et al.

title: Effect of interaction between occupational stress and polymorphisms of MTHFR gene and SELE gene on hypertension
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12914
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: BackgroundGene-environment interaction is related to the prevalence of hypertension, but the impact of genetic polymorphisms on hypertension may vary due to different geography and population.ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the interaction among occupational stress and MTHFR gene and SELE gene polymorphism on the prevalence of hypertension in Xinjiang oil workers.MethodsA case-control study was conducted on 310 oil workers. In an oilfield base in Karamay City, Xinjiang, 155 hypertensive patients aged 18~60 years old with more than one year of service were selected as the case group, and 155 oil workers without hypertension were selected as the control group according to the 1:1 matching principle (matching conditions: the gender and shift were the same. The age is around 2 years old). The Occupational Stress Scale was used to evaluate the degree of occupational stress, PCR technique was used to detect MTHFR and SELE gene polymorphism, Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of gene and occupational stress on hypertension, and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were analyzed by generalized multi-factor dimension reduction method.ResultsThe G98T polymorphism of SELE gene (χ2 = 6.776, P = 0.034), the C677T (χ2 = 7.130, P = 0.028) and A1298C (χ2 = 12.036, P = 0.002) loci of MTHFR gene and the degree of occupational stress (χ2 = 11.921, P = 0.003) were significantly different between the case group and the control group. The genotypes GT at the G98T polymorphism of the SELE gene (OR = 2.151, 95% CI [1.227–3.375]), and the dominant model (AC/CC vs AA, OR = 1.925, 95% CI [1.613–3.816]); AC and CC at the A1298C polymorphism of the MTHFR gene (ORAC = 1.917, 95% CI [1.064–3.453]; ORCC = 2.233, 95% CI [1.082–4.609]), the additive model (CC vs AA, OR = 2.497, 95% CI [1.277–4.883]) and the dominant model (AC/CC vs AA, OR = 2.012, 95% CI [1.200–3.373]); at the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene CT and TT (ORCT = 1.913, 95% CI [1.085–3.375]; ORTT = 3.117, 95% CI [1.430–6.795]), the additive model (CC vs AA, OR = 1.913, 95% CI [1.085–3.375]) and the dominant model (AC/CC vs AA, OR = 2.012, 95% CI [1.200–3.373]), which could increase hypertension risk (P < 0.05). The gene-gene interaction showed that there was a positive interaction between the A1298C and C677T sites of the MTHFR gene, and the gene-occupational stress interaction showed that there was a positive interaction between the A1298C and C677T sites of the MTHFR gene and the occupational stress.ConclusionThe interaction of gene mutation and occupational stress in Xinjiang oil workers maybe increase the risk of hypertension.
creator: Fen Yang
creator: Ruiying Qiu
creator: Saimaitikari Abudoubari
creator: Ning Tao
creator: Hengqing An
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12914
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2022 Yang et al.

title: Soil properties, root morphology and physiological responses to cotton stalk biochar addition in two continuous cropping cotton field soils from Xinjiang, China
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12928
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: Long-term and widespread cotton production in Xinjiang, China, has resulted in significant soil degradation, thereby leading to continuous cropping obstacles; cotton stalk biochar (CSB) addition may be an effective countermeasure to this issue, with effects that are felt immediately by root systems in direct contact with the soil. In this study, we assess the effects of different CSB application rates on soil nutrient contents, root morphology, and root physiology in two soil types commonly used for cotton production in the region. Compared with CK (no CSB addition), a 1% CSB addition increased total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM) by 13.3%, 7.2%, and 50% in grey desert soil, respectively , and 36.5%, 19.9%, and 176.4%, respectively, in aeolian sandy soil. A 3% CSB addition increased TN, AP, and OM by 38.8%, 23.8%, and 208.1%, respectively, in grey desert soil, and 36%, 13%, and 183.2%, respectively, in aeolian sandy soil. Compared with the aeolian sandy soil, a 1% CSB addition increased TN, OM, and AP by 95%, 94.8%, and 33.3%, respectively, in the grey desert soil , while in the same soil 3% CSB addition increased TN, OM, and AP by 108%, 21.1%, and 73.9%, respectively. In the grey desert soil, compared with CK, a 1% CSB application increased the root length (RL) (34%), specific root length (SRL) (27.9%), and root volume (RV) (32.6%) during the bud stage, increased glutamine synthetase (GS) (13.9%) and nitrate reductase (NR) activities (237%), decreased the RV (34%) and average root diameter (ARD) (36.2%) during the harvesting stage. A 3% CSB addition increased the RL (44%), SRL (20%), and RV (41.2%) during the bud stage and decreased the RV (29%) and ARD (27%) during the harvesting stage. In the aeolian sandy soil, 1% CSB increased the RL (38.3%), SRL (73.7%), and RV (17%), while a 3% caused a greater increase in the RL (55%), SRL (89%), RV (28%), soluble sugar content (128%), and underground biomass (33.8%). Compared with the grey desert soil, a 1% CSB addition increased the RL (48.6%), SRL (58%), and RV (18.6%) in the aeolian sandy soil, while a 3% further increased the RL (54.8%), SRL (84.2%), RV (21.9%), and soluble sugar content (233%). The mechanisms by which CSB addition improves the two soils differ: root morphology changed from coarse and short to fine and long in the grey desert soil, and from fine and long to longer in the aeolian sandy soil. Overall, a 3% CSB addition may be a promising and sustainable strategy for maintaining cotton productivity in aeolian sandy soil in the Xinjiang region.
creator: Xiuxiu Dong
creator: Zhiyong Zhang
creator: Shaoming Wang
creator: Zihui Shen
creator: Xiaojiao Cheng
creator: Xinhua Lv
creator: Xiaozhen Pu
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12928
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Dong et al.

title: New genus of Ironidae (Nematoda, Enoplida) from Piip volcano (the Bering Sea)
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12946
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: Piipironus grandis gen. et sp. nov. is described from Piip submarine volcano, the Bering Sea. Piipironus gen. nov. shows all main characters of Thalassironinae but differs from all known ironids in the form of the amphid (spiral vs pocket-like) and the simultaneous presence of precloacal papilliform supplements and tubular postcloacal organs. Pared tubular postcloacal organs have never been described before for the family Ironidae. The combination of papilliform precloacal supplements and the pair of tubular postcloacal organs described for Piipironus grandis gen. et sp. nov. is unique among nematodes. The study of the nematofauna of the Piip submarine volcano began quite recently, and Piipironus is the second new genus of nematodes described from here from one sample of bottom sediments. This can be taken as one of the examples of the hyper-high diversity of marine nematodes.
creator: Julia Zograf
creator: Vladimir Mordukhovich
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12946
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: © 2022 Zograf and Mordukhovich

title: The impact of COVID-19 and control measures on public health in Thailand, 2020
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12960
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: BackgroundThe COVID-19 virus has been an emerging disease causing global outbreaks for over a year. In Thailand, transmission may be controlled by strict measures that could positively and negatively impact physical health and suicidal behavior.MethodsThe incidence of COVID-19 was retrieved from the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The impact of viral diseases was retrieved from the open-source of the DDC and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The road accidents data were from the Thai Ministry of Transport. The suicidal behavior data were obtained from the Department of Mental Health. We compared data from the year 2019 with the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak period in 2020, before lockdown, during lockdown, easing, and new wave period using unpaired t-test and least-squares linear regression. We compared the impact of the outbreak on various data records in 2020 with corresponding non-outbreak from 2019.ResultsThere was a significant decline in cases of influenza (p < 0.001) and norovirus (p = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in RSV cases (p = 0.17). There was a dramatic increase in attempt to suicides and suicides (p < 0.001). There was no impact on roadside accidents and outpatient department visits.DiscussionThe extensive intervention measures during lockdown during the first wave positively impacted total cases for each period for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal tract diseases, car accidents, and injuries and negatively impacted indicators of suicidal behavior. The data support government policies that would be effective against the next outbreak by promoting the “new normal” lifestyle.
creator: Ritthideach Yorsaeng
creator: Nungruthai Suntronwong
creator: Ilada Thongpan
creator: Watchaporn Chuchaona
creator: Fajar Budi Lestari
creator: Siripat Pasittungkul
creator: Jiratchaya Puenpa
creator: Kamolthip Atsawawaranunt
creator: Chollasap Sharma
creator: Natthinee Sudhinaraset
creator: Anek Mungaomklang
creator: Rungrueng Kitphati
creator: Nasamon Wanlapakorn
creator: Yong Poovorawan
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12960
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Yorsaeng et al.

title: In vivo evaluation of the protective effects of arjunolic acid against lipopolysaccharide-induced septic myocardial injury
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12986
last-modified: 2022-02-16
description: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a glycolipid component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, which induces multiple organ dysfunctions, eventually leading to septic shock and death. Arjunolic acid (AA) has been shown to have therapeutic benefits against various organ pathophysiologies, although its role in sepsis remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of AA on LPS-induced free radical production and cardiotoxicity. Male albino mice were allocated to four groups: normal, 1.5 µg/30 g b.w. of LPS (LPS), 20 mg/kg b.w. AA with LPS (AA+LPS) and 20 mg/kg b.w. of AA (AA). Subsequently, blood and heart samples were harvested for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Pretreatment with AA attenuated LPS-induced increased serum levels of cardiac troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. In the meantime, AA pretreatment before LPS resulted in a significant increase in endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) and a significant decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) in the heart as compared to the LPS group, while cardiac cytochrome c activity were significantly increased. In addition, in the AA-pretreated mice, C-reactive protein and proinflammatory cytokines (interlukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were significantly reduced, and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4 and -10) were significantly increased in cardiac tissues as compared to the LPS-treated animals. Furthermore, prior administration of AA to LPS exposed mice led to a significant a significant decrease in heart caspase-3, -8, and -9 as compared to the LPS group. Interestingly, AA was also able to improve LPS-induced histopathological changes in the cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, these in vivo findings indicate that AA may be a promising cardioprotective agent against LPS-stimulated cardiotoxicity, at least in part, through upregulation of cardiac antioxidants, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and inhibition of inflammation and cardiac cell death.
creator: Hany Elsawy
creator: Mohammed Almalki
creator: Omar Elmenshawy
creator: Ashraf Abdel-Moneim
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12986
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Elsawy et al.

title: A new phylogenetic data standard for computable clade definitions: the Phyloreference Exchange Format (Phyx)
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12618
last-modified: 2022-02-15
description: To be computationally reproducible and efficient, integration of disparate data depends on shared entities whose matching meaning (semantics) can be computationally assessed. For biodiversity data one of the most prevalent shared entities for linking data records is the associated taxon concept. Unlike Linnaean taxon names, the traditional way in which taxon concepts are provided, phylogenetic definitions are native to phylogenetic trees and offer well-defined semantics that can be transformed into formal, computationally evaluable logic expressions. These attributes make them highly suitable for phylogeny-driven comparative biology by allowing computationally verifiable and reproducible integration of taxon-linked data against Tree of Life-scale phylogenies. To achieve this, the first step is transforming phylogenetic definitions from the natural language text in which they are published to a structured interoperable data format that maintains strong ties to semantics and lends itself well to sharing, reuse, and long-term archival. To this end, we developed the Phyloreference Exchange Format (Phyx), a JSON-LD-based text format encompassing rich metadata for all elements of a phylogenetic definition, and we created a supporting software library, phyx.js, to streamline computational management of such files. Together they form a foundation layer for digitizing and computing with phylogenetic definitions of clades.
creator: Gaurav Vaidya
creator: Nico Cellinese
creator: Hilmar Lapp
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12618
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Vaidya et al.

title: Should the frequency, severity, or both response scales be used for multi-item dental patient-reported outcome measures?
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12717
last-modified: 2022-02-15
description: BackgroundThe Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) index asks the respondents to indicate both, the frequency and severity of the impact. However, it is not clear if the two scaling methods are correlated, and if using one scale is sufficient. The purpose of the study was to investigate the correlation between frequency and severity rating scales of the OIDP instrument, and whether only one of the rating scales can be used instead of both.MethodsA battery of patient-reported outcome questionnaires were administered to a consecutive sample of adult dental patients from HealthPartners dental clinics in Minnesota (N = 2,115). Only those who responded to any of the OIDP items were included in the analysis for this study (N = 873). We assessed correlations between the frequency and severity scales for all OIDP items, and for the summary scores of the two OIDP response scales. We additionally fit a categorical structural equation model (SEM) (or an item factor analysis model) and examined the correlation between two latent variables (Frequency and Severity).ResultsThe correlation estimates for all OIDP items were greater than 0.50, indicating large correlations between the frequency and severity scores for each OIDP item. The correlation estimate between the two summary scores was 0.85 (95% CI [0.82–0.86]). When we calculated the correlation coefficient using a latent variable model, the value increased to 0.96 (95% CI [0.93–1.00]).ConclusionOur study findings show that OIDP frequency and severity scores are highly correlated, which indicates the use of one scale only. Based on previous evidence, we recommend applying the frequency rating scale only in research and clinical settings.
creator: Swaha Pattanaik
creator: Mike T. John
creator: Seungwon Chung
creator: San Keller
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12717
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Pattanaik et al.

title: Dogs and wolves differ in their response allocation to their owner/caregiver or food in a concurrent choice procedure
link: https://peerj.com/articles/12834
last-modified: 2022-02-15
description: Dogs and wolves both show attachment-like behaviors to their owners/caregivers, including exploring more in the presence of the owner/caregiver, and greeting the owner/caregiver more effusively after an absence. Concurrent choice studies can elucidate dogs’ and wolves’ relationship to their owners/caregivers by assessing their preference for the owner/caregiver compared to other stimuli. While previous research has used concurrent choice paradigms to evaluate dogs’ and wolves’ preference between humans giving social interaction or humans giving food, no research has explored their preferences for an owner/caregiver compared to food when the food is not delivered by a human. In the current study, we investigated whether dogs and hand-reared wolves preferred their owner/caregiver or food, unassociated with a human, when they had been equally deprived of each stimulus (at least 4 hours). Each canid experienced four trials; we measured first choice and time spent with each alternative. Dogs overall did not show a preference for the owner or food. Wolves, on the other hand, tended to show a preference for food in both measures. We observed a range of individual variation in both measures, although dogs showed more individual variation. The differences we observed between dogs and wolves align with prior research comparing wolf and dog behavior directed towards humans; however, the reasons for this differential responding could be due to a variety of factors beyond phylogeny.
creator: Lindsay Isernia
creator: Clive D.L. Wynne
creator: Leanna House
creator: Erica N. Feuerbacher
uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12834
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
rights: ©2022 Isernia et al.