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A comparison of the effects of two protocols of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on physical fitness in middle school students PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Zhen Li, Teng Ding, Yanan Gao, Xiaowei Han, Yang Liu, Zhixiong Zhou
Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of two concurrent training (CT) protocols on the physical fitness of middle school students. Method A 12-week quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was conducted with 157 middle school students (age = 12.48 ± 0.34, n = 90 females) divided into three groups: CT group A (CT-0h) received combined resistance training (RT) and aerobic training (AT)
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Insights into soil nematode diversity and bacterial community of Thai jasmine rice rhizosphere from different paddy fields in Thailand PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Pongrawee Nimnoi, Patawee Pirankham, Kittipong Srimuang, Pornthip Ruanpanun
Globally, phytonematodes cause significant crop losses. Understanding the functions played by the plant rhizosphere soil microbiome during phytonematodes infection is crucial. This study examined the distribution of phytonematodes in the paddy fields of five provinces in Thailand, as well as determining the keystone microbial taxa in response to environmental factors that could be considered in the
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The effects of COVID-19 on agriculture supply chain, food security, and environment: a review PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Haider Mahmood, Maham Furqan, Gowhar Meraj, Muhammad Shahid Hassan
COVID-19 has a deep impact on the economic, environmental, and social life of the global population. Particularly, it disturbed the entire agriculture supply chain due to a shortage of labor, travel restrictions, and changes in demand during lockdowns. Consequently, the world population faced food insecurity due to a reduction in food production and booming food prices. Low-income households face food
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Prognosis value of galectin-3 in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Yan Xiong, Qing Zhang
Background Accurate prediction and assessment of myocardial fibrosis (MF) and adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are crucial in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several studies indicate that galectin-3 (gal-3) as a promising prognostic predictor in patients with DCM. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant studies
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Discovery of a peculiar insular race of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) endemic to Yinggeling Mountain of Hainan, suggesting heterogeneous geological history of mountain formation of the island PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Yu-Feng Hsu, Yik Fui Philip Lo, Rung-Juen Lin
A peculiar population of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) was discovered from the Yinggeling Mountain Mass of central Hainan. Its wing pattern and COI barcode data show considerable distinction from other geographic populations of R. nivea, including that of Bawangling, approximately only 40 km away and also located in Hainan. The p-distance value of the COI barcode between the Yinggeling and Bawangling
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Melanella martarum sp. nov. (Gastropoda: Eulimidae): the first parasitic deep-sea snail reported for the Salas & Gomez Ridge PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Leonardo Santos de Souza, Cynthia M. Asorey, Javier Sellanes
Eulimidae is a highly diverse family of gastropods that are often parasites of echinoderms. They are cosmopolitan and live from the intertidal to great depths. Despite its wide geographic and bathymetric distribution, no species of Eulimidae have been reported for the Salas & Gómez Ridge to date. In this study, we describe Melanella martarum sp. nov., which was collected during the EPIC oceanographic
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Fumaric acid production from fermented oil palm empty fruit bunches using fungal isolate K20: a comparison between free and immobilized cells PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Antika Boondaeng, Jureeporn Keabpimai, Chanaporn Trakunjae, Nanthavut Niyomvong
This study investigated the potential of using steam-exploded oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a renewable feedstock for producing fumaric acid (FA), a food additive widely used for flavor and preservation, through a separate hydrolysis and fermentation process using the fungal isolate K20. The efficiency of FA production by free and immobilized cells was compared. The maximum FA concentration
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Kernel density estimation of allele frequency including undetected alleles PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Satoshi Aoki, Keita Fukasawa
Whereas undetected species contribute to estimation of species diversity, undetected alleles have not been used to estimated genetic diversity. Although random sampling guarantees unbiased estimation of allele frequency and genetic diversity measures, using undetected alleles may provide biased but more precise estimators useful for conservation. We newly devised kernel density estimation (KDE) for
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SUMOylation of zebrafish transcription factor Zbtb21 affects its transcription activity PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Zhou Fang, Yun Deng, Haihong Wang, Jun Zhou
Background Post-translational modification by Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) is an important mechanism to regulate protein activity, protein stability, and localization of substrates. Zbtb21 is a zinc finger and BTB (Broad-complex, Tram-track and Bric à brac) domain-containing transcription factor. Bioinformatic prediction suggests several putative SUMOylated sites in Zbtb21 protein. Methods
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Regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress on autophagy and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in intervertebral disc degeneration and its related mechanisms PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Jiuming Dai, Jin Liu, Yucheng Shen, Bing Zhang, Chaonian Li, Zhidong Liu
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common and frequent disease in orthopedics, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-regulated autophagy and apoptosis play an important role in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in IVDD. Hypoxia and serum deprivation were used to induce NP cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell activity
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Investigating antimicrobial resistance genes in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania cattle using metagenomics PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Kauthar M. Omar, George L. Kitundu, Adijat O. Jimoh, Dorcus N. Namikelwa, Felix M. Lisso, Abiola A. Babajide, Seun E. Olufemi, Olaitan I. Awe
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing problem in African cattle production systems, posing a threat to human and animal health and the associated economic value chain. However, there is a poor understanding of the resistomes in small-holder cattle breeds in East African countries. This study aims to examine the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
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Incidence and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 En-min Zhou, Heping Shen, Di Wang, Weiqun Xu
Background Immune disorders and autoantibodies has been noted in both primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether the two disorders are correlated is unclear. The lack of evidence on the incidence of and risk factors for SLE in primary ITP patients poses a challenge for prediction in clinical practice. Therefore, we conducted this study. Methods The protocol
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Shifts in dominance of benthic communities along a gradient of water temperature and turbidity in tropical coastal ecosystems PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Ludi Parwadani Aji, Diede Louise Maas, Agustin Capriati, Awaludinnoer Ahmad, Christiaan de Leeuw, Leontine Elisabeth Becking
Tropical coastal benthic communities will change in species composition and relative dominance due to global (e.g., increasing water temperature) and local (e.g., increasing terrestrial influence due to land-based activity) stressors. This study aimed to gain insight into possible trajectories of coastal benthic assemblages in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, by studying coral reefs at varying distances from
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High frequency of transition to transversion ratio in the stem region of RNA secondary structure of untranslated region of SARS-CoV-2 PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Madhusmita Dash, Preetisudha Meher, Aditya Kumar, Siddhartha Sankar Satapathy, Nima D. Namsa
Introduction The propensity of nucleotide bases to form pairs, causes folding and the formation of secondary structure in the RNA. Therefore, purine (R): pyrimidine (Y) base-pairing is vital to maintain uniform lateral dimension in RNA secondary structure. Transversions or base substitutions between R and Y bases, are more detrimental to the stability of RNA secondary structure, than transitions derived
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Are women with endometriosis more likely to experience reduced physical performance compared to women without the condition? PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-22 Tatiana Silva, Maiara Oliveira, Edwiges Oliveira, Rayllanne Macena, Gessica Taynara de Oliveira Silva, Saionara M. A. Câmara, Maria Micussi
Background Endometriosis is a condition of the female reproductive system associated with pelvic pain. Chronic pain can affect physical performance by limiting the functional activities, thus, it is hypothesized that women with endometriosis may also present decreased functional capacity, decreased strength, and mobility. The objective of this study is to compare physical performance in women with
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Non-significant influence between aerobic and anaerobic sample transport materials on gut (fecal) microbiota in healthy and fat-metabolic disorder Thai adults PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Naruemon Tunsakul, Lampet Wongsaroj, Kantima Janchot, Krit Pongpirul, Naraporn Somboonna
Background The appropriate sample handling for human fecal microbiota studies is essential to prevent changes in bacterial composition and quantities that could lead to misinterpretation of the data. Methods This study firstly identified the potential effect of aerobic and anaerobic fecal sample collection and transport materials on microbiota and quantitative microbiota in healthy and fat-metabolic
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Association of time-averaged serum uric acid level with clinicopathological information and long-term outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Mengjie Weng, Binbin Fu, Yongjie Zhuo, Jiaqun Lin, Zhenhuan Zou, Yi Chen, Jiong Cui, Guifen Li, Caiming Chen, Yanfang Xu, Dewen Jiang, Jianxin Wan
Objective Whether serum uric acid (SUA) at baseline could been identiûed as a risk factor for progression in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients remains unclear, therefore, long- term SUA control levels must be monitored. We aimed to investigate the relevant factors affecting time-averaged SUA (TA-SUA) and to assess the prognostic value of TA-SUA in IgAN. Methods This retrospective study included 152 patients
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The effect of obesity on the outcome of thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Jiajun Li, Yucong Zhang, Haijun Huang, Yongzhi Zhou, Jing Wang, Min Hu
Background Obesity is a well-known predictor for poor postoperative outcomes of vascular surgery. However, the association between obesity and outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the roles of obesity in the outcomes of TEVAR. Methods We systematically searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases
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Meta-analysis of the correlation between pulmonary hypertension and echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Jiahui Jin, Wen Hao, Deqiong Xie
Objective To investigate the correlation between pulmonary hypertension (PH) and echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were systematically searched for articles published from inception to 19 May 2023. Study quality was estimated using the Quality Assessment of Case-Control Studies
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Unveiling the aesthetic secrets: exploring connections between genetic makeup, chemical, and environmental factors for enhancing/improving the color and fragrance/aroma of Chimonanthus praecox PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Haoyu Zhao, Hafiza Ayesha Masood, Sher Muhammad
Floral color and scent profiles vary across species, geographical locations, and developmental stages. The exclusive floral color and fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox is contributed by a range of endogenous chemicals that distinguish it from other flowers and present amazing ornamental value. This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay of environmental factors, chemicals and genes shaping
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Inhibition of SUV39H1 reduces tumor angiogenesis via Notch1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Yan Chen, Xiuhong Weng, Chuanjie Zhang, Simin Wang, Xuechen Wu, Bo Cheng
Targeting tumor angiogenesis is an important approach in advanced tumor therapy. Here we investigated the effect of the suppressor of variegation 3–9 homolog 1 (SUV39H1) on tumor angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The GEPIA database was used to analyze the expression of SUV39H1 in various cancer tissues. The expression of SUV39H1 in OSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the
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Exogenous Hemin enhances the antioxidant defense system of rice by regulating the AsA-GSH cycle under NaCl stress PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Fengyan Meng, Naijie Feng, Dianfeng Zheng, Meiling Liu, Hang Zhou, Rongjun Zhang, XiXin Huang, Anqi Huang
Abiotic stress caused by soil salinization remains a major global challenge that threatens and severely impacts crop growth, causing yield reduction worldwide. In this study, we aim to investigate the damage of salt stress on the leaf physiology of two varieties of rice (Huanghuazhan, HHZ, and Xiangliangyou900, XLY900) and the regulatory mechanism of Hemin to maintain seedling growth under the imposed
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Discovery and validation of molecular patterns and immune characteristics in the peripheral blood of ischemic stroke patients PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Lin Cong, Yijie He, Yun Wu, Ze Li, Siwen Ding, Weiwei Liang, Xingjun Xiao, Huixue Zhang, Lihua Wang
Background Stroke is a disease with high morbidity, disability, and mortality. Immune factors play a crucial role in the occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS), but their exact mechanism is not clear. This study aims to identify possible immunological mechanisms by recognizing immune-related biomarkers and evaluating the infiltration pattern of immune cells. Methods We downloaded datasets of IS patients
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Magnification in preclinical procedures: effect on muscle activity and angular deviations of the neck and trunk PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Júlia Margato Pazos, Ana Flávia Ribeiro Monteiro Fernandes, Edson Donizetti Verri, Guilherme Gallo Costa Gomes, Simone Cecílio Hallak Regalo, Patricia Petromilli Nordi Sasso Garcia
Objectives This study aimed to assess the effects of different magnification systems on the angular deviations of the neck and trunk and the muscle activities of the upper back and neck during preclinical cavity preparation. Methods This was an experimental laboratory study, with the angular deviations from the neutral positions of the neck and trunk and the activities of the bilateral upper back (the
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Predicting central cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a practical nomogram based on retrospective study PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Lirong Wang, Lin Zhang, Dan Wang, Jiawen Chen, Wenxiu Su, Lei Sun, Jue Jiang, Juan Wang, Qi Zhou
Background In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), preoperative ultrasonography frequently reveals the presence of enlarged lymph nodes in the central neck region. These nodes pose a diagnostic challenge due to their potential resemblance to metastatic lymph nodes, thereby impacting the surgical decision-making process for clinicians in terms of determining
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Cytokine profiles of mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infected and recovered pre-vaccinated individuals residing in Indonesia PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Ni Luh Ayu Megasari, Siti Qamariyah Khairunisa, Radita Yuniar Arizandy, I. Komang Evan Wijaksana, Citrawati Dyah Kencono Wungu
Background Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of cytokine-mediated inflammation, in clinical severity and death related to SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially among pre-vaccinated individuals. An increased risk of death was also described among SARS-CoV-2 recovered individuals, which might be correlated with prolonged inflammatory responses. Despite being among the countries with the highest
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Transcriptome analysis during 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide exposure-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in mice PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Yi Li, Ruifen He, Xue Qin, Qinying Zhu, Liangjian Ma, Xiaolei Liang
The occupational chemical 4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is a reproductively toxic environmental pollutant that causes follicular failure, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which significantly impacts a woman’s physical health and fertility. Investigating VCD’s pathogenic mechanisms can offer insights for the prevention of ovarian impairment and the treatment of POI. This study
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Novel monoclonal antibodies against house dust mite allergen Der p 21 and their application to analyze allergen extracts PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Vytautas Rudokas, Laimis Silimavicius, Indre Kucinskaite-Kodze, Aiste Sliziene, Milda Pleckaityte, Aurelija Zvirbliene
Background Allergen extracts and recombinant allergens are used in allergy diagnostics and immunotherapy. Since allergen extracts from different manufacturers lack proper standardization regarding their composition, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against specific allergen components can be used for their identification and quantification in allergen extracts. This study aimed to generate MAbs against
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Preliminary study on the protective effect of remazolam against sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Xiaoxin Gao, Rujun Zhang, Zhenzhou Wang, Qingan Chen, Zhenlin Lei, Yanan Yang, Jia Tian
Background Sepsis can disrupt immune regulation and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) frequently. Remazolam, a fast-acting hypnotic drug with superior qualities compared to other drugs, was investigated for its potential protective effects against sepsis-induced ARDS. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, including the sepsis + saline group, sham
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Hand grab or noose pole? Evaluating the least stressful practice for capture of endangered Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas Cyclura carinata PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Giuliano Colosimo, Gwyneth Montemuro, Gregory A. Lewbart, Gabriele Gentile, Glenn Gerber
As the analysis of blood metabolites has become more readily accessible thanks to the use of point-of-care analyzers, it is now possible to evaluate stress level of wild animals directly in the field. Lactate is receiving much attention as a good stress level proxy in individuals subjected to capture, manual restraint, and data sampling in the wild, and appropriate protocols to maintain lactate values
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COVID-19 and malaria co-infection: a systematic review of clinical outcomes in endemic areas PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Amal H. Mohamed, Ebtihal Eltyeb, Badria Said, Raga Eltayeb, Abdullah Algaissi, Didier Hober, Abdulaziz H. Alhazmi
Background COVID-19 and malaria cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Co-infection of these diseases can worsen their impact on public health. This review aims to synthesize literature on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 and malaria co-infection to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MeSH terms and keywords
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Carbon content and other soil properties of near-surface peats before and after peatland restoration PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Jenny Hammerich, Corinna Schulz, Robert Probst, Thomas Lüdicke, Vera Luthardt
Peatland restoration usually aims at restarting the peatlands’ function to store carbon within peat. The soil properties of the near-surface peat can give a first understanding of this process. Therefore, we sampled pH value, total organic carbon content (TOC), total nitrogen content (TN), C/N ratio as well as dry bulk density (BD), and describe the structure of near-surface peats in six restored fens
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S100A8/9 modulates perturbation and glycolysis of macrophages in allergic asthma mice PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Xiaoyi Ji, Chunhua Nie, Yuan Yao, Yu Ma, Huafei Huang, Chuangli Hao
Background Allergic asthma is the most prevalent asthma phenotype and is associated with the disorders of immune cells and glycolysis. Macrophages are the most common type of immune cells in the lungs. Calprotectin (S100A8 and S100A9) are two pro-inflammatory molecules that target the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and are substantially increased in the serum of patients with severe asthma. This study
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Citizen science initiatives document biodiversity baselines at an urban lake PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-17 Alyssah Ahern, Daniel F. Hughes
Changes to biodiversity from urbanization are occurring worldwide, and baseline data is vital to document the magnitude and direction of these alterations. We set out to document the biodiversity of an urban lake in Eastern Iowa that was devoid of baseline data prior to a renovation project that will convert the site into a major area for human recreation. Throughout the course of one year, we studied
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Association of rotating night shift work with tooth loss and severe periodontitis among permanent employees in Japan: a cross-sectional study PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Yukihiro Sato, Eiji Yoshioka, Yasuaki Saijo
Background The modern 24/7 society demands night shift work, which is a possible risk factor for chronic diseases. This study aimed to examine the associations of rotating night shift work duration with tooth loss and severe periodontitis. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from a self-administered questionnaire survey conducted among 3,044 permanent employees aged 20–64 years through a Japanese
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Marine introgressions and Andean uplift have driven diversification in neotropical Monkey tree frogs (Anura, Phyllomedusinae) PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Diego Almeida-Silva, Leonardo Matheus Servino, Matheus Pontes-Nogueira, Ricardo J. Sawaya
The species richness in the Neotropics has been linked to environmental heterogeneity and a complex geological history. We evaluated which biogeographic processes were associated with the diversification of Monkey tree frogs, an endemic clade from the Neotropics. We tested two competing hypotheses: the diversification of Phyllomedusinae occurred either in a “south-north” or a “north-south” direction
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Effects of soil pH on the growth, soil nutrient composition, and rhizosphere microbiome of Ageratina adenophora PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Yun Xia, Junna Feng, Hongbo Zhang, Deyu Xiong, Lingdong Kong, Robert Seviour, Yunhong Kong
Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed species found in many countries. Methods to control the spread of this weed have been largely unsuccessful. Soil pH is the most important soil factor affecting the availability of nutrients for plant and impacting its growth. Understanding the mechanisms of the influence of soil pH on the growth of A. adenophora may help to develop effective control measures
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Defenses of whirligig beetles against native and invasive frogs PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Shinji Sugiura, Masakazu Hayashi
Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared history. The American bullfrog, Aquarana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae), which has been intentionally introduced to many countries, is believed to impact native aquatic animals through direct predation. Adults of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera:
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Bidirectional correlation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Xiaolong Tan, Shasha Wang, Fengjie Wu, Jun Zhu
Objectives Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep problems are highly prevalent among the general population. Both them are associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, which is highlighting an underexplored connection between them. This meta-analysis aims to explore the association between sleep problems and GERD. Methods We conducted a comprehensive
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Gene expression profiles of Japanese precious coral Corallium japonicum during gametogenesis PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Ma. Marivic Capitle Pepino, Sam Edward Manalili, Satoko Sekida, Takuma Mezaki, Tomoyo Okumura, Satoshi Kubota
Background Corallium japonicum, a prized resource in Japan, plays a vital role in traditional arts and fishing industries. Because of diminished stock due to overexploitation, ongoing efforts are focused on restoration through transplantation. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the reproductive biology of these valuable corals and find more efficient methods for sex determination, which
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Discovery of diverse Pectocaris species at the Cambrian series 2 Hongjingshao formation Xiazhuang section (Kunming, SW China) and its ecological, taphonomic, and biostratigraphic implications PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Changfei Jin, Hong Chen, Huijuan Mai, Xianguang Hou, Xianfeng Yang, Dayou Zhai
Pectocaris species are intermediate- to large-sized Cambrian bivalved arthropods. Previous studies have documented Pectocaris exclusively from the Cambrian Series 2 Stage 3 Chengjiang biota in Yu’anshan Formation, Chiungchussu Stage in SW China. In this study, we report Pectocaris paraspatiosa sp. nov., and three other previously known Pectocaris from the Xiazhuang section in Kunming, which belongs
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The rhizosphere and root selections intensify fungi-bacteria interaction in abiotic stress-resistant plants PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Feng Huang, Mengying Lei, Wen Li
The microbial communities, inhabiting around and in plant roots, are largely influenced by the compartment effect, and in turn, promote the growth and stress resistance of the plant. However, how soil microbes are selected to the rhizosphere, and further into the roots is still not well understood. Here, we profiled the fungal, bacterial communities and their interactions in the bulk soils, rhizosphere
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Soil organic nitrogen variation shaped by diverse agroecosystems in a typical karst area: evidence from isotopic geochemistry PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Ruiyin Han, Qian Zhang, Zhifang Xu
Background Soil organic nitrogen (SON) levels can respond effectively to crop metabolism and are directly related to soil productivity. However, simultaneous comparisons of SON dynamics using isotopic tracing in diverse agroecosystems are lacking, especially in karst areas with fragile ecology. Methods To better understand the response of SON dynamics to environmental changes under the coupling of
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Cross-sectional association between 24-hour movement guidelines and depressive symptoms in Chinese university students PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Yanqing Zhang, Xinli Chi, Liuyue Huang, Xingyi Yang, Sitong Chen
Background The world’s first 24-h movement guidelines for adults were released on 15 October 2020 in Canada, though evidence of their associations with health indicators in young adults is sparse. This study aimed to report the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and associations with depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese university students. Methods Cross-sectional data from 1
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Effectiveness of gamification in nursing degree education PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Sebastián Sanz-Martos, Cristina Álvarez-García, Carmen Álvarez-Nieto, Isabel M. López-Medina, María Dolores López-Franco, Maria E. Fernandez-Martinez, Lucía Ortega-Donaire
Background Previous research in nursing has found favorable results from the use of teaching methodologies alternative to lectures. One of the complementary methodologies used for university teaching is gamification, or the inclusion of game elements, creating a dynamic learning environment that allows the acquisition of knowledge and the development of other skills necessary for nursing students.
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GPR27 expression correlates with prognosis and tumor progression in gliomas PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Changcheng Cai, Libo Hu, Ke Wu, Yinggang Liu
Backgrounds Glioma is a highly aggressive type of brain tumor, and its prognosis is still poor despite recent progress in treatment strategies. G protein-coupled receptor 27 (GPR27) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family and has been reported to be involved in various cellular processes, including tumor progression. Nevertheless, the clinical potential and tumor-related role of GPR27
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Promoting sustainable agriculture by exploiting plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve maize and cowpea crops PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Nadège Adoukè Agbodjato, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Maize and cowpea are among the staple foods most consumed by most of the African population, and are of significant importance in food security, crop diversification, biodiversity preservation, and livelihoods. In order to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural products, fertilizers and pesticides have been extensively used to increase yields and protect plants against pathogens. However, the
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Freshwater trematodes differ from marine trematodes in patterns connected with division of labor PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-12 Allison T. Neal, Moira Stettner, Renytzabelle Ortega-Cotto, Daniel Dieringer, Lydia C. Reed
Background Prior research suggests that trematode rediae, a developmental stage of trematode parasites that reproduce clonally within a snail host, show evidence of division of labor (DOL). Single-species infections often have two morphologically distinct groups: small rediae, the ‘soldiers’, are active, aggressive, and do not appear to reproduce; large rediae, the ‘reproductives’, are larger, sluggish
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Comparative analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) corn and rice strains microbiota revealed minor changes across life cycle and strain endosymbiont association PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-12 Sandra María Marulanda-Moreno, Clara Inés Saldamando-Benjumea, Rafael Vivero Gomez, Gloria Cadavid-Restrepo, Claudia Ximena Moreno-Herrera
Background Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) is a pest that poses a significant threat to corn production worldwide, causing millions of dollars in losses. The species has evolved into two strains (corn and rice) that differ in their genetics, reproductive isolation, and resistance to insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins. The microbiota plays an important role in insects’ physiology, nutrient
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Assessing the quality and reliability of YouTube videos as a source of information on inflammatory back pain PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-11 Mete Kara, Erkan Ozduran, Müge Mercan Kara, Volkan Hanci, Yüksel Erkin
Background Inflammatory back pain is a chronic condition with localized pain, particularly in the axial spine and sacroiliac joints, that is associated with morning stiffness and improves with exercise. YouTube is the second most frequently used social media platform for accessing health information. This study sought to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos on inflammatory back
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Unravelling the maternal evolutionary history of the African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-11 Declan R. Morris, Todd J. McWhorter, Wayne S. J. Boardman, Gregory Simpson, Jeanette Wentzel, Jannie Coetzee, Yoshan Moodley
The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) has lost a significant proportion of its historical range, notably in north-western Africa and South Africa. Recent studies have explored the genetic diversity and population structure of African leopards across the continent. A notable genetic observation is the presence of two divergent mitochondrial lineages, PAR-I and PAR-II. Both lineages appeared to
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Efficacy of propolis extract and eye drop solutions to suppress encystation and excystation of Acanthamoeba triangularis WU19001-T4 genotype PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-11 Suthinee Sangkanu, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah, Roghayeh Norouzi, Julalak Chuprom, Watcharapong Mitsuwan, Sirirat Surinkaew, Rachasak Boonhok, Alok K. Paul, Tooba Mahboob, Imran Sama-ae, Sonia M. R. Oliveira, Tajudeen O. Jimoh, Maria de Lourdes Pereira, Polrat Wilairatana, Christophe Wiart, Mohammed Rahmatullah, Monvaris Sakolnapa, Veeranoot Nissapatorn
Background Propolis is a natural resinous product from a variety of plants and combines it with beeswax and salivary enzymes to create bee glue. Its potentials have been employed in the treatment of many diseases and conditions for centuries. This study, therefore, aims to determine the anti-Acanthamoeba properties of the propolis extract, eye drops coupled to some mechanisms such as inhibition of
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The impact of chemical and hormonal treatments to improve seed germination and seedling growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endi PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Alae Ahmad Jabbour, Abdulaziz Alzahrani
Purpose Juniper (Juniperus procera) is a common forest tree species in Saudi Arabia. The decline in many populations of J. procera in Saudi Arabia is mainly due to seed dormancy and loss of natural regeneration. This study assessed the effects of chemical and hormonal treatments on seed germination and seedling growth in juniper plants. Methods The seeds were subjected to either chemical scarification
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Behind the wheel: exploring gray matter variations in experienced drivers PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Jiangtao Chen, Xiaoyu Chen, Li Gong, Di Zhang, Qiang Liu
Background Driving is a complex skill involving various cognitive activities. Previous research has explored differences in the brain structures related to the navigational abilities of drivers compared to non-drivers. However, it remains unclear whether changes occur in the structures associated with low-level sensory and higher-order cognitive abilities in drivers. Methods Gray matter volume, assessed
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Comparative study of nasal cavity drug delivery efficiency with different nozzles in a 3D printed model PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Shengjian Fang, Xiaoqing Rui, Yu Zhang, Zhangwei Yang, Weihua Wang
Background Nasal sprays are widely used in treating nasal and sinus diseases; however, there are very few studies on the drug delivery efficiency of nasal sprays. In this study, the drug delivery efficiency of three different nasal spray devices was evaluated in vitro using a 3D printed cast model of nasal cavity. Methods Three nasal spray devices with different nozzles and angles of administration
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Population dynamics and seasonal migration patterns of Spodoptera exigua in northern China based on 11 years of monitoring data PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Hao-Tian Ma, Li-Hong Zhou, Hao Tan, Xian-Zhi Xiu, Jin-Yang Wang, Xing-Ya Wang
Background The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), is an important agricultural pest worldwide that has caused serious economic losses in the main crop-producing areas of China. To effectively monitor and control this pest, it is crucial to investigate its population dynamics and seasonal migration patterns in northern China. Methods In this study, we monitored the population dynamics of S.
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Representation of investigation results of microplastics on sandy beaches—accumulation rate and abundance in the entire study site PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Hiroshi Asakura
Long-term microplastics (MPs) environmental pollution trends cannot be understood only by investigating their presence on beaches. Without estimating MPs for the entire beach, comparisons between multiple beaches cannot be made. In this study, Nagasaki Prefecture was selected as the study site, we measured MPs accumulation rate to express the MPs pollution trend and weighted the measurement results
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Association of healthy lifestyle score with control of hypertension among treated and untreated hypertensive patients: a large cross-sectional study PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Ting Dong, Qin Zhou, Weiquan Lin, Chang Wang, Minying Sun, Yaohui Li, Xiangyi Liu, Guozhen Lin, Hui Liu, Caixia Zhang
Background Hypertension stands as the leading single contributor to the worldwide burden of mortality and disability. Limited evidence exists regarding the association between the combined healthy lifestyle score (HLS) and hypertension control in both treated and untreated hypertensive individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between HLS and hypertension control among adults
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Advancement in the development of single chain antibodies using phage display technology PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Xiaohui Zheng, Qi Liu, Yimin Liang, Wenzhi Feng, Honghao Yu, Chunyu Tong, Bocui Song
Phage display technology has become an important research tool in biological research, fundamentally changing the traditional monoclonal antibody preparation process, and has been widely used in the establishment of antigen-antibody libraries, drug design, vaccine research, pathogen detection, gene therapy, antigenic epitope research, and cellular signal transduction research.The phage display is a
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Vertical farming for lettuce production in limited space: a case study in Northern Thailand PeerJ (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Suwimon Wicharuck, Nuttapon Khongdee, Ar Man, Wahyu Nurkholis Hadi Syahputra, Parichat Yalangkan, Prapaporn Chaiphak, Chatchawan Chaichana
Background Greenhouse vertical farming under natural sunlight is an alternative farming technique that grows crops in a stacking column and extends in a vertical direction. Sunlight availability is one of the crucial factors for crop development in vertical farming. Therefore, this investigation aimed to examine the effect of sunlight availability on lettuce growth and yields at different levels of