Effectiveness of specific stabilization exercise compared with traditional trunk exercise in women with non-specific low back pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Background Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The primary physiotherapeutic treatment for LBP is physical exercise, but evidence suggesting a specific exercise as most appropriate for any given case is limited. Objective To determine if specific stabilization exercise (SSE) is more effective than traditional trunk exercise (TTE) in reducing levels of pain, disability and inflammation in women with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Design A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in Rovira i Virgili University, Catalonia. Methods Thirty-nine females experiencing non-specific LBP were included in two groups: the TTE program and SSE program, both were conducted by a physiotherapist during twenty sessions. The primary outcome was pain intensity (10-cm Visual Analogue Scale). Secondary outcomes were disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), and inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α plasma levels). Measurements were taken at baseline, at half intervention, at post-intervention, and a month later. Results Mean group differences in change from baseline to post-intervention for TTE were: −4.5 points (CI 3.3 to 5.6) for pain, −5.1 points (CI 3.0 to 7.3) for disability, 0.19 pg/mL (95% CI [−1.6–1.2]) for IL-6 levels, and 46.2 pg/mL (CI 13.0 to 85.3) for TNF-α levels. For SSE, differences were: −4.3 points (CI 3.1 to 5.6) for pain, −6.1 points (CI 3.7 to 8.6) for disability, 1.1 pg/mL (CI 0.0 to 2.1) for IL-6 levels , and 12.8 pg/mL (95% CI [−42.3–16.7]) for TNF-α levels. There were an insignificant effect size and no statistically significant overall mean differences between both groups. Conclusion This study suggests that both interventions (traditional trunk and specific stabilization exercises) are effective in reducing pain and disability in non-specific LBP patients, but the two programs produce different degrees of inflammation change. Clinical trial registration number NCT02103036.
Minobes-Molina et al. (2020) Effectiveness of specific stabilization exercise compared with traditional trunk exercise in women with non-specific low back pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial. PeerJ 8:e10304 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10304
Eco-morphological diversity of larvae of soldier flies and their closest relatives in deep time
Stratiomyomorpha (soldier flies and allies) is an ingroup of Diptera, with a fossil record stretching back to the Early Cretaceous (the Barremian, about 125 MYA). Stratiomyomorpha includes at least 3,000 species in the modern fauna, with many species being crucial for ecosystem functions, especially as saprophages. Larvae of many stratiomyomorphans are especially important as scavengers and saproxyls in modern ecosystems. Yet, fossil larvae of the group are extremely scarce. Here we present 23 new records of fossil stratiomyomorphan larvae, representing six discrete morphotypes. Specimens originate from Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, Eocene Baltic amber, Miocene Dominican amber, and compression fossils from the Eocene of Messel (Germany) and the Miocene of Slovenia. We discuss the implications of these new records for our understanding of stratiomyomorphan ecomorphology in deep time as well as their palaeoecology.
Baranov et al. (2020) Eco-morphological diversity of larvae of soldier flies and their closest relatives in deep time. PeerJ 8:e10356 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10356
A diverse global fungal library for drug discovery
Background Secondary fungal metabolites are important sources for new drugs against infectious diseases and cancers. Methods To obtain a library with enough diversity, we collected about 2,395 soil samples and 2,324 plant samples from 36 regions in Africa, Asia, and North America. The collection areas covered various climate zones in the world. We examined the usability of the global fungal extract library (GFEL) against parasitic malaria transmission, Gram-positive and negative bacterial pathogens, and leukemia cells. Results Nearly ten thousand fungal strains were isolated. Sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from 40 randomly selected strains showed that over 80% were unique. Screening GFEL, we found that the fungal extract from Penicillium thomii was able to block Plasmodium falciparum transmission to Anopheles gambiae, and the fungal extract from Tolypocladium album was able to kill myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. We also identified a set of candidate fungal extracts against bacterial pathogens.
Niu et al. (2020) A diverse global fungal library for drug discovery. PeerJ 8:e10392 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10392
Data quantity is more important than its spatial bias for predictive species distribution modelling
Biological records are often the data of choice for training predictive species distribution models (SDMs), but spatial sampling bias is pervasive in biological records data at multiple spatial scales and is thought to impair the performance of SDMs. We simulated presences and absences of virtual species as well as the process of recording these species to evaluate the effect on species distribution model prediction performance of (1) spatial bias in training data, (2) sample size (the average number of observations per species), and (3) the choice of species distribution modelling method. Our approach is novel in quantifying and applying real-world spatial sampling biases to simulated data. Spatial bias in training data decreased species distribution model prediction performance, but sample size and the choice of modelling method were more important than spatial bias in determining the prediction performance of species distribution models.
Gaul et al. (2020) Data quantity is more important than its spatial bias for predictive species distribution modelling. PeerJ 8:e10411 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10411
Identification and prognostic value of DLGAP5 in endometrial cancer
Background Endometrial cancer poses a serious threat to women’s health worldwide, and its pathogenesis, although actively explored, is not fully understood. DLGAP5 is a recently identified cell cycle-regulation gene not reported in endometrial cancer. This study was aiming to analyze the role of DLGAP5 in tumorigenesis and development and to investigate its prognostic significance of patients with endometrial cancer. Methodology Microarray datasets (GSE17025, GSE39099 and GSE63678) from the GEO database were used for comparative analysis, and their intersection was obtained by applying the Venn diagram, and DLGAP5 was selected as the target gene. Next, transcriptome data (n = 578) was downloaded from TCGA-UCEC to analyze the mRNA expression profile of DLGAP5. Then, immunohistochemical data provided by HPA were used to identify the different protein expression levels of DLGAP5 in tumor tissues and normal tissues. Subsequently, the prognostic meaning of DLGAP5 in patients with endometrial cancer was explored based on survival data from TCGA-UCEC (n = 541). Finally, the reliability of DLGAP5 expression was verified by RT-qPCR. Results Transcriptome data from TCGA-UCEC, immunohistochemical data from HPA, and RT-qPCR results from clinical samples were used for triple validation to confirm that the expression of DLGAP5 in endometrial cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal endometrial tissues. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis announced that the expression level of DLGAP5 was negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients with endometrial cancer. Conclusions DLGAP5 is a potential oncogene with cell cycle regulation, and its overexpression can predict the poor prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. As a candidate target for the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer, it is worthwhile to make further study to reveal the carcinogenicity of DLGAP5 and the mechanism of its resistance of organisms.
Zheng et al. (2020) Identification and prognostic value of DLGAP5 in endometrial cancer. PeerJ 8:e10433 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10433
The mRNA landscape profiling reveals potential biomarkers associated with acute kidney injury AKI after kidney transplantation
Background This study aims to identify potential biomarkers associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) post kidney transplantation. Material and Methods Two mRNA expression profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus repertory were downloaded, including 20 delayed graft function (DGF) and 68 immediate graft function (IGF) samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between DGF and IGF group. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of DEGs were performed. Then, a protein-protein interaction analysis was performed to extract hub genes. The key genes were searched by literature retrieval and cross-validated based on the training dataset. An external dataset was used to validate the expression levels of key genes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate diagnostic performance of key genes for AKI. Results A total of 330 DEGs were identified between DGF and IGF samples, including 179 up-regulated and 151 down-regulated genes. Of these, OLIG3, EBF3 and ETV1 were transcription factor genes. Moreover, LEP, EIF4A3, WDR3, MC4R, PPP2CB, DDX21 and GPT served as hub genes in PPI network. EBF3 was significantly up-regulated in validation GSE139061 dataset, which was consistently with our initial gene differential expression analysis. Finally, we found that LEP had a great diagnostic value for AKI (AUC = 0.740). Conclusion EBF3 may be associated with the development of AKI following kidney transplantation. Furthermore, LEP had a good diagnostic value for AKI. These findings provide deeper insights into the diagnosis and management of AKI post renal transplantation.
Bi et al. (2020) The mRNA landscape profiling reveals potential biomarkers associated with acute kidney injury AKI after kidney transplantation. PeerJ 8:e10441 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10441
Adaptive evolution at mRNA editing sites in soft-bodied cephalopods
Background The bulk of variability in mRNA sequence arises due to mutation—change in DNA sequence which is heritable if it occurs in the germline. However, variation in mRNA can also be achieved by post-transcriptional modification including mRNA editing, changes in mRNA nucleotide sequence that mimic the effect of mutations. Such modifications are not inherited directly; however, as the processes affecting them are encoded in the genome, they have a heritable component, and therefore can be shaped by selection. In soft-bodied cephalopods, adenine-to-inosine RNA editing is very frequent, and much of it occurs at nonsynonymous sites, affecting the sequence of the encoded protein. Methods We study selection regimes at coleoid A-to-I editing sites, estimate the prevalence of positive selection, and analyze interdependencies between the editing level and contextual characteristics of editing site. Results Here, we show that mRNA editing of individual nonsynonymous sites in cephalopods originates in evolution through substitutions at regions adjacent to these sites. As such substitutions mimic the effect of the substitution at the edited site itself, we hypothesize that they are favored by selection if the inosine is selectively advantageous to adenine at the edited position. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that edited adenines are more frequently substituted with guanine, an informational analog of inosine, in the course of evolution than their unedited counterparts, and for heavily edited adenines, these transitions are favored by positive selection. Our study shows that coleoid editing sites may enhance adaptation, which, together with recent observations on Drosophila and human editing sites, points at a general role of RNA editing in the molecular evolution of metazoans.
Moldovan et al. (2020) Adaptive evolution at mRNA editing sites in soft-bodied cephalopods. PeerJ 8:e10456 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10456
Invasion history of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Ecuador
Harmonia axyridis is a ladybird extensively used around the world for biological control of agricultural pests. However, it has become invasive in several countries, producing negative ecological and socio-economic impacts. Herein, we review the invasion history of the Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) in Ecuador. Although first reported in Ecuador in 2012, museum specimens date back to 2004 and it is currently established across the country, especially along the Andean region. Due to its invasive nature, further studies are urgently needed to evaluate possible impacts of H. axyridis on the Ecuadorian biodiversity and agroindustry.
© 2020 Cisneros-Heredia and Peñaherrera-Romero
Cisneros-Heredia et al. (2020) Invasion history of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Ecuador. PeerJ 8:e10461 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10461
Cumulative oxygen deficit is a novel predictor for the timing of invasive mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients with respiratory distress
Background and objectives The timing of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is controversial in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory hypoxemia. The study aimed to develop a novel predictor called cumulative oxygen deficit (COD) for the risk stratification. Methods The study was conducted in four designated hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients in Jingmen, Wuhan, from January to March 2020. COD was defined to account for both the magnitude and duration of hypoxemia. A higher value of COD indicated more oxygen deficit. The predictive performance of COD was calculated in multivariable Cox regression models. Results A number of 111 patients including 80 in the non-IMV group and 31 in the IMV group were included. Patients with IMV had substantially lower PaO2 (62 (49, 89) vs. 90.5 (68, 125.25) mmHg; p < 0.001), and higher COD (−6.87 (−29.36, 52.38) vs. −231.68 (−1040.78, 119.83) mmHg·day) than patients without IMV. As compared to patients with COD < 0, patients with COD > 30 mmHg·day had higher risk of fatality (HR: 3.79, 95% CI [2.57–16.93]; p = 0.037), and those with COD > 50 mmHg·day were 10 times more likely to die (HR: 10.45, 95% CI [1.28–85.37]; p = 0.029). Conclusions The study developed a novel predictor COD which considered both magnitude and duration of hypoxemia, to assist risk stratification of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress.
Ge et al. (2020) Cumulative oxygen deficit is a novel predictor for the timing of invasive mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients with respiratory distress. PeerJ 8:e10497 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10497
Early abolition of cough reflex predicts mortality in deeply sedated brain-injured patients
Background Deep sedation may hamper the detection of neurological deterioration in brain-injured patients. Impaired brainstem reflexes within the first 24 h of deep sedation are associated with increased mortality in non-brain-injured patients. Our objective was to confirm this association in brain-injured patients. Methods This was an observational prospective multicenter cohort study involving four neuro-intensive care units. We included acute brain-injured patients requiring deep sedation, defined by a Richmond Assessment Sedation Scale (RASS) < −3. Neurological assessment was performed at day 1 and included pupillary diameter, pupillary light, corneal and cough reflexes, and grimace and motor response to noxious stimuli. Pre-sedation Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS-II) were collected, as well as the cause of death in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Results A total of 137 brain-injured patients were recruited, including 70 (51%) traumatic brain-injured patients, 40 (29%) vascular (subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage). Thirty patients (22%) died in the ICU. At day 1, the corneal (OR 2.69, p = 0.034) and cough reflexes (OR 5.12, p = 0.0003) were more frequently abolished in patients that died in the ICU. In a multivariate analysis, abolished cough reflex was associated with ICU mortality after adjustment to pre-sedation GCS, SAPS-II, RASS (OR: 5.19, 95% CI [1.92–14.1], p = 0.001) or dose of sedatives (OR: 8.89, 95% CI [2.64–30.0], p = 0.0004). Conclusion Early (day 1) cough reflex abolition is an independent predictor of mortality in deeply sedated brain-injured patients. Abolished cough reflex likely reflects a brainstem dysfunction that might result from the combination of primary and secondary neuro-inflammatory cerebral insults revealed and/or worsened by sedation.
Kandelman et al. (2020) Early abolition of cough reflex predicts mortality in deeply sedated brain-injured patients. PeerJ 8:e10326 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10326