Interaction of soil pH, organic matter, exchangeable acidity, and cation exchange capacity in a managed tea farm
Background The Yangai tea farm was established in 1952, with a long history of cultivating tea plants. The tea plant can activate Al3+ of the soil and affect soil physicochemical properties. Understanding soil physicochemical properties is crucial for studying soil fertility, nutrient retention, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Therefore, we investigated the distribution characteristics of soil pH, exchangeable acid, soil organic matter (SOM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in the surface soil and soil profile to assess their interaction in the managed tea garden. Methods We collected surface soil and soil profile samples from the managed tea garden and three land-use types (i.e., managed tea garden, unmanaged tea garden, and Pinus massoniana forest), respectively. We measure soil pH value with a laboratory pH meter. We measured the SOM, soil exchangeable acid, and CEC content, respectively, with potassium dichromate heating, potassium chloride leaching, and spectrophotometric methods. Results The average soil pH value, exchangeable Al3+ content, and exchangeable H+ content were 4.50 (ranging from 3.95 to 5.88), 6.11 (0.04 to 9.32) cmol kg−1, and 0.30 (0.03 to 0.62) cmol kg−1, respectively. The surface soil acidification is severe, and the exchangeable acids in the tea garden were mainly exchangeable Al3+. The surface soil of the Yangai tea farm had a high ability to keep and supply fertilizer due to its enriching SOM content (average 55.94g kg−1) and soil CEC (24.06 cmol(+) kg−1). Surface soil exchangeable acid and CEC contents were higher after spring tea picking than before spring tea picking in the Yangai tea farm, while their SOM content was just the opposite. Therefore, it was recommended to supplement organic fertilizers after tea-picking because the surface SOM of the Yangai tea farm would decompose and be consumed more during the spring, summer, and autumn tea-picking periods than in winter. In addition, the SOM contents and soil pH values decreased and then increased with the increasing soil depth of the soil profile in three land-use types. The soil acidification rate of the managed tea garden was faster than that of the unmanaged tea garden and Pinus massoniana forest, and the difference in the acidification rate between the unmanaged tea garden and Pinus massoniana forest was slight. Therefore, there should be attention to preventing excessive soil acidification in the later tea garden management.
Song et al. (2025) Interaction of soil pH, organic matter, exchangeable acidity, and cation exchange capacity in a managed tea farm. PeerJ 13:e20341 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20341
Positive rates of total and specific immunoglobulin E in 7,824 adult patients with suspected allergic diseases in Liaoning Province, China: a retrospective study
Background The escalating prevalence of allergic diseases poses a significant global health challenge. However, estimates of allergic disease prevalence in Liaoning Province, China, remain lacking. This study aimed to investigate total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in 7,824 patients with suspected allergic diseases and to identify factors associated with allergic conditions. Methods A total of 7,824 participants (3,180 males and 4,644 females) with a mean age of 53.63 years were included. tIgE and sIgE levels were measured using standard laboratory methods. The normal reference range for tIgE was stratified by age group, and sIgE results were categorized as positive or negative based on predefined thresholds. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0. Results The overall tIgE positivity rate was 39.26%, with males showing a significantly higher rate (46.67%) than females (34.19%) (χ2 = 123.118, p < 0.001). The highest tIgE positivity was observed in the 18–44 age group (44.11%) and during the summer season (43.95%). No significant differences were found in sIgE positivity rates for inhaled and food allergens between sexes or seasons. Conclusions Male sex, younger and older age groups, and the summer season were identified as significant predictors of allergic diseases based on tIgE levels. These findings underscore the importance of sex and seasonal variations in allergic disease prevalence and highlight the need for targeted prevention and management strategies.
Sun et al. (2025) Positive rates of total and specific immunoglobulin E in 7,824 adult patients with suspected allergic diseases in Liaoning Province, China: a retrospective study. PeerJ 13:e20394 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20394
Leaf-branch-root trait relationships in Quercus rehderiana across rocky and non-rocky desertification habitats in China
Background Plant leaves, branches, and roots synergistically govern survival, growth, and reproduction. However, while interspecific and community-level studies have advanced our understanding of organ coordination, intraspecific trait covariation remains poorly understood due to limited evidence. Methodology This study investigated 28 functional traits across leaves, branches, and roots of Quercus rehderiana, a dominant species in rocky and non-rocky desertification forests, to evaluate intraspecific organ relationships. The traits, covering morphological, anatomical, and physiological aspects, reflect resource acquisition and utilization strategies. Standardized protocols were followed, with three replicates per individual for reliability. Results Our results revealed no significant correlations among leaf, branch, and root traits in either forest type. Principal component analysis (PCA) of leaf traits indicated that the first axis was positively associated with water storage and utilization strategies, showing positive correlations with leaf thickness (LT), palisade mesophyll thickness (PT), and spongy mesophyll thickness (ST). The second axis exhibited a positive relationship with leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) and leaf phosphorus concentration (LPC). For branch traits, the first axis reflected water transport efficiency, demonstrating positive associations with theoretical hydraulic conductivity (Kt) and vessel density (VD). The second axis was positively correlated with branch N concentration (BNC) and branch phosphorus concentration (BPC). In root traits, the first axis aligned with root defense traits (positive correlation) but was inversely related to resource acquisition efficiency. The second axis showed a positive correlation with root N concentration (RNC) and root phosphorus concentration (RPC). Conclusions Organ-specific trait decoupling in Quercus rehderiana reveals independent above- and belowground adaptations to water and nutrient limitations, challenging whole-plant economic spectrum assumptions. While consistent in rocky desertification forests, they differ from other ecosystems, highlighting context-dependence. Future research should expand across environmental gradients to disentangle trait relationships. This work highlights multidimensional approaches in functional ecology for understanding plant adaptation.
Bai et al. (2025) Leaf-branch-root trait relationships in Quercus rehderiana across rocky and non-rocky desertification habitats in China. PeerJ 13:e20367 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20367
Patients with lower BMI are more likely to experience shoulder pain after single port laparoscopic myomectomy
Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of shoulder pain after single port transumbilical laparoscopic myomectomy and analyze patient and operative specific factors associated with post-laparoscopy shoulder pain (PLSP). This information can inform preoperative risk assessment and intervention. Method This is a prospective cohort study. Two hundred and twenty patients undergoing elected single-port laparoscopic myomectomy under general anaesthesia were divided into two groups according to whether they had shoulder pain after surgery. Patient demographic data and duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss volume, intraoperative carbon dioxide (CO2) usage volume, the usage of an abdominal drainage tube or not, the usage of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) or not were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Data were compared using Student’s t-test or chi-square test. Risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression. Results The incidence of shoulder pain was 43.18%. The body mass index (BMI) of the shoulder pain group was significantly lower than that of the non-shoulder pain group (OR = 0.629, p < 0.05). Patients with BMI < 21.64 are more likely to experience postoperative shoulder pain. The use rate of abdominal drainage tubes was higher in the non-shoulder pain group (OR = 0.509, p < 0.05). Conclusion PLSP is more likely to occur in patients with lower BMI (<21.64), and placing an abdominal drainage tube can reduce the occurrence of shoulder pain.
Chen et al. (2025) Patients with lower BMI are more likely to experience shoulder pain after single port laparoscopic myomectomy. PeerJ 13:e20362 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20362
Effects of virtual reality intervention dosage on gait performance in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective Gait impairment is a prevalent and disabling feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is often insufficiently improved by conventional rehabilitation approaches. Virtual reality (VR)-based training has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy; however, the overall efficacy of VR interventions on gait outcomes in PD remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to (1) quantify the effects of VR-based rehabilitation on gait performance in individuals with PD, and (2) investigate whether treatment outcomes are moderated by intervention dosage parameters-such as training frequency, session duration, and total intervention period-as well as patient-related factors like disease duration and age. Methods Seven databases (Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, VIP, and CNKI) were searched from inception to December 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating VR training for gait in PD were independently screened by two reviewers. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Meta-analyses were conducted with RevMan 5.4.1, and publication bias was examined using Stata 17.0. Effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. The certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. Results A total of 13 RCTs, involving 541 patients with Parkinson’s disease, met the inclusion criteria. VR-based interventions demonstrated significant effects in improving composite gait function (SMD = 0.56; 95% CI [0.36–0.77]; P < 0.00001), indicating a moderate and clinically meaningful benefit. Gait function was evaluated using a range of clinical scales and spatiotemporal parameters, encompassing multiple dimensions such as dynamic stability, walking efficiency, and functional mobility. Subgroup analyses revealed greater improvements among patients with disease duration ≤8 years (SMD = 0.65), shorter intervention periods (≤4 weeks, SMD = 0.86), and shorter session durations (≤30 minutes, SMD = 0.83). The intervention effects were generally consistent across different age groups (SMD = 0.48–0.74). The average PEDro score was 6.77, indicating moderate to high methodological quality, although allocation concealment and blinding were frequently absent. No significant publication bias was detected, and the overall certainty of evidence was rated as high. Conclusion VR-based training yields statistically robust and clinically relevant improvements in gait among individuals with PD. These benefits are moderated by disease stage and intervention parameters, supporting the integration of VR into personalized, early-phase rehabilitation strategies.
Yu et al. (2025) Effects of virtual reality intervention dosage on gait performance in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 13:e20320 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20320
Occurrence, composition, sources, and ecological-health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Chinese water bodies: a review
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems globally. This study conducted a comprehensive literature search (2015–2025) across Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to evaluate PAH contamination in diverse water bodies in China. Through an analysis of data from 69 distinct study areas, we synthesized concentration distributions, compositional profiles, pollution sources, and associated ecological and health risks. The results revealed significant spatiotemporal variations in PAH contamination across Chinese water bodies, with mean concentrations ranging from 17.4 to 3,856.68 ng/L, and an arithmetic mean of 498.3 ng/L. Northern industrial regions, eastern estuarine and coastal areas exhibited the highest pollution levels, while western remote areas remained less contaminated. Rivers showed the highest mean PAH concentrations, followed by lakes/reservoirs, coastal waters, and estuaries. Low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs dominated, accounting for 74.5–82.2% of total PAHs, though high-molecular-weight (HMW) compounds were enriched in industrial zones and deltas. Source apportionment indicated mixed contributions from fossil fuel combustion, petroleum spills, and traffic emissions, with distinct seasonal patterns: coal heating dominated in winter, while runoff inputs were major contributors in summer. Ecological risk assessment indicated high risk was prevalent, with risk quotient (RQ) values greatly exceeding 1 in severely polluted areas such as river basins and estuaries. Health risk evaluation showed that incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values in certain areas reach ed 4.6 × 10−3, exceeding the acceptable level (10−6) by orders of magnitude. These findings provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted PAH control strategies to better protect aquatic ecosystems and public health in China.
Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Chen et al. (2025) Occurrence, composition, sources, and ecological-health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Chinese water bodies: a review. PeerJ 13:e20300 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20300
Carbon capture, photosynthesis, and leaf gas exchange of shade tree species and Arabica coffee varieties in coffee agroforestry systems in Veracruz state, Mexico
Agroforestry systems with native vegetation enhance climate adaptation and mitigation by improving coffee farm resilience, carbon storage, and income diversification. Seven native tree species were pre-selected as shade providers for Veracruz coffee agroforestry systems based on ecological, cultural, and economic criteria. The present study evaluated their physiological performance through above-ground biomass, carbon stocks, and in-situ chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange measurements under controlled light and temperature conditions. Five Coffea arabica varieties were also assessed under these shade canopies using the same leaf-level parameters, and leaf nitrogen and moisture content. Erythrina americana and Persea schiedeana had the highest carbon sequestration per tree. E. americana showed the highest water-use efficiency, whereas P. schiedeana showed the lowest transpiration and stomatal conductance, indicating a water-saving strategy via stomatal restriction. These traits reflect their ecological adaptations to shade and microclimate conditions in agroforestry systems. Inga inicuil achieved the highest carbon capture per hectare due to high tree density, despite lower individual performance. Species-specific strategies were identified: Psidium guajava and P. schiedeana exhibited high transpiration but limited carbon gain. E. americana and Inga punctata formed a drought-resilient group, having a high carbon assimilation and low water loss. Intermediate species (Heliocarpus appendiculatus, Inga vera, I. inicuil) balanced moderate CO2 assimilation rates with adaptable stomatal response. Photochemical efficiency remained stable across species. Shaded Coffea arabica var. Oro Azteca had significantly higher leaf nitrogen, moisture, and water-use efficiency than unshaded ones. These differences coincided with lower PAR under shade, aligning with known variations in shaded versus unshaded coffee plants. Principal component analysis showed that PC1 correlated strongly with stomatal conductance and transpiration, driven by P. guajava and P. schiedeana. PC2 showed a carbon economy trade-off between CO2 assimilation and internal concentration, dominated by E. americana. Collectively, these components highlight stomatal regulation and carbon management as adaptive strategies. Coffee PCA revealed contrasting water-use strategies: PC1 showed inverse stomatal regulation (especially in shaded varieties), and PC2 an energy allocation trade-off between photochemical efficiency and carbon assimilation, with shaded plants maintaining stable CO2 assimilation regarding unshaded ones. These results demonstrate notable interspecific variation in carbon storage, water-use efficiency, and light conditions among shade trees, offering empirical support for species selection in Veracruz coffee agroforestry.
Cabrera-Santos et al. (2025) Carbon capture, photosynthesis, and leaf gas exchange of shade tree species and Arabica coffee varieties in coffee agroforestry systems in Veracruz state, Mexico. PeerJ 13:e20255 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20255
Utilization of soft pistachio hulls in Japanese quail diets for enhanced egg quality and yolk pigmentation
Background Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) offer rapid growth, early maturity and excellent feed conversion, but feed cost accounts for ∼70% of production expenses. This study evaluated soft pistachio hull (PH), an abundant agro-industrial by-product, as a low-cost dietary ingredient in laying quails. Methods Ninety-six female quails, seven weeks old age, were randomly distributed to four dietary groups (24 birds each; three replicates of eight birds). The treatment diets were based on a standard layer feed, with graded PH inclusion of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%, administered over a for five-week period. Parameters measured included live weight, feed intake, egg production rate, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, and a range of egg quality indicators, such as shape index, shell thickness, Haugh unit, albumen and yolk indices, and yolk color score, assessed at weeks 7 and 11. Results Final live weight followed a cubic trend (P = 0.05), with the 2% and 6% PH groups (356.5 g and 350.6 g, respectively) exceeding the control (333.9 g), while 4% PH yielded intermediate values. Although differences in egg production were not statistically conclusive, the 4% PH group showed the highest output (76.4%). Feed intake increased by 7.3% in birds fed 4% PH group (P < 0.05), with feed conversion efficiency slightly reduced in noth 2% and 6% PH treatments. Egg shape index improved significantly at 4% PH (+3.3%, P < 0.01), whereas shell thickness, albumen index and Haugh unit remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Yolk color score exhibited strong linear, quadratic and cubic increases (P < 0.01), with the 6% PH group scoring 11.43 (+38.9% vs. 8.23 control). Conclusion Pistachio hulls can be incorporated into laying quail diets up to 6% without adverse effects on egg quality. The 4% inclusion level appears optimal for egg shape and pruductivity, while 6% maximizes yolk coloration. Nonetheless, the observed decline in feed efficiency at some levels suggests that careful ration balancing is essential. The use of PH represents a promising route for upcycling agro-residues into functional feed components with added economic and nutritional value.
Çetin (2025) Utilization of soft pistachio hulls in Japanese quail diets for enhanced egg quality and yolk pigmentation. PeerJ 13:e20204 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20204
Evaluation study of effect of virtual care education on healthcare providers’ knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction
Background Virtual care can increase access to healthcare and improve provider efficiency; however, many healthcare providers lack formal education in virtual care delivery, including skills in virtual communication, physical examination adaptations, confidentiality, and billing procedures. This training gap can result in reduced confidence and suboptimal patient care. To address this, an asynchronous continuing professional development (CPD) module was developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the module’s efficacy regarding satisfaction and changes in knowledge and confidence. Methods The module covered key topics such as virtual visit etiquette, technology troubleshooting, adapted physical examinations, documentation, and remuneration processes. Interactive features included embedded videos, knowledge-check quizzes, and reflective questions. A single-group pre-post quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate its impact. Data were collected via electronic surveys administered at three time points (before, during, and post-module). Surveys included multiple choice questions assessing objective knowledge, and Likert-scale questions assessing confidence levels in virtual care delivery. Open-ended short answer questions captured qualitative feedback. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests where appropriate. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to identify learner-reported strengths and areas for improvement. Results A total of nine to 22 learners responded at each time point. Respondents were heterogeneous, with most identifying as male (66.7%), general practitioners (55.6%), practicing in hospital settings (55.6%), and in communities of 2,000 to 10,000 people (55.6%). Learners reported high satisfaction with the module’s content relevance, navigation, and interactive components, but requested more interactive components (e.g., case-based learning). Statistically significant improvements were observed in confidence levels (n = 20–21; p < 0.001 to 0.009) and objective knowledge scores (n = 20–22; p = 0.046). Conclusion This evaluation study demonstrated that the asynchronous virtual care module had a statistically significant impact on objective knowledge and confidence, in addition to having positive satisfaction ratings. Limitations include the small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up to assess sustained practice change. However, these findings support the incorporation of asynchronous, virtual modules into CPD curricula to enhance provider competencies in virtual care delivery. Future directions include integrating additional case-based and specialty-specific content, as well as exploring the module’s scalability for other health professions to promote interprofessional virtual care training.
Clemens et al. (2025) Evaluation study of effect of virtual care education on healthcare providers’ knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction. PeerJ 13:e20414 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20414
MAFF inhibits angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer by suppressing YAP1 nuclear translocation
Objective To investigate the roles of MAFF and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in regulating angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore the mechanism through which MAFF inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing YAP1 nuclear translocation. Methods Bioinformatics analysis was used to assess MAFF expression and its associated regulatory pathways. Clinical samples from NSCLC patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate the correlation between MAFF expression and microvessel density (MVD). Cellular experiments were conducted to examine the effects of MAFF overexpression on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses were performed to assess the expression of YAP1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Tumor growth suppression was evaluated using nude mouse xenograft models. Results MAFF was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues and correlated with advanced T stage and higher MVD. Overexpression of MAFF inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, and downregulated the expression of YAP1, VEGF, and CTGF. IF confirmed that MAFF suppressed nuclear translocation of YAP1. In vivo, MAFF overexpression reduced tumor volume and weight, which was accompanied by inhibition of the YAP1 signaling pathway. Conclusion MAFF suppresses angiogenesis in NSCLC by blocking YAP1 nuclear translocation and downregulating VEGF and CTGF, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Ding et al. (2025) MAFF inhibits angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer by suppressing YAP1 nuclear translocation. PeerJ 13:e20395 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20395