PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: A single-center retrospective study of ectopic lymphoid tissues in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic value
items: Association of vaccine intention against COVID-19 using the 5C Scale and its constructs: a Pima County, Arizona cross-sectional survey
items: Improvement of contact lens-associated dry eye disease with the use of hydrogen peroxide
items: The motivation to inform others: a field experiment with wild chimpanzees
items: A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics
items: Nonlinear relationship between circulating natural killer cell count and 1-year relapse rates in myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study
items: Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations
items: Upregulation of HPV16E1 and E7 expression and FOXO3a mRNA downregulation in high-grade cervical neoplasia
items: Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens magnificens) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination
items: The use of phosphate rock and plant growth promoting microorganisms for the management of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R.D. Webster in acidic soils

A single-center retrospective study of ectopic lymphoid tissues in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic value
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background In recent years, ectopic lymphoid tissue (ELT) has been increasingly confirmed as a new biomarker for kidney injury or inflammation. However, there is insufficient research on the relationship between ELT grading and the progression of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Methods A total of 147 patients with biopsy-proven IMN in our institution from March 2020 to June 2022 were classified into five grades based on the different distribution of lymphocyte subsets in renal tissue (G0: no B cells or T cells, G1: scattered B and T cells, G2: clustered B and T cells, G3: an aggregation region of B and T cells without a central network, G4: highly organized and formed zones of B and T cells with a central network of follicular dendritic cells and scattered macrophages), and were further divided into low-grade group (G0+G1), intermediate-grade group (G2) and high-grade group (G3+G4). The clinicopathological data, induction treatment response and prognosis among the three groups were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results As the grading of ectopic lymphoid tissues increased, patients were older, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, a higher 24-h urinary protein level, lower baseline hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels, and more severe renal pathological damage. Logistic regression analysis showed that after 6 months of induction treatment, patients in the high-grade group were more likely to be in non-remission than those in the low-grade group (odds ratios [ORs] of the three adjusted models were 4.310, 4.239, and 5.088, respectively, P-values were 0.005, 0.006, and 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients in the intermediate- and high-grade groups had significantly lower renal cumulative survival rate than those in the low-grade group (P = 0.025). Univariate Cox analysis showed that the risk of adverse renal outcome was 3.662 times higher in the intermediate- and high-grade groups…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jing Zhang
creator: Siyu Chen
creator: Haiying Zheng
creator: Siyi Rao
creator: Yuanyuan Lin
creator: Jianxin Wan
creator: Yi Chen
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Immunology
subject: Nephrology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18703
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhang et al.
abstract: Background In recent years, ectopic lymphoid tissue (ELT) has been increasingly confirmed as a new biomarker for kidney injury or inflammation. However, there is insufficient research on the relationship between ELT grading and the progression of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Methods A total of 147 patients with biopsy-proven IMN in our institution from March 2020 to June 2022 were classified into five grades based on the different distribution of lymphocyte subsets in renal tissue (G0: no B cells or T cells, G1: scattered B and T cells, G2: clustered B and T cells, G3: an aggregation region of B and T cells without a central network, G4: highly organized and formed zones of B and T cells with a central network of follicular dendritic cells and scattered macrophages), and were further divided into low-grade group (G0+G1), intermediate-grade group (G2) and high-grade group (G3+G4). The clinicopathological data, induction treatment response and prognosis among the three groups were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results As the grading of ectopic lymphoid tissues increased, patients were older, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, a higher 24-h urinary protein level, lower baseline hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels, and more severe renal pathological damage. Logistic regression analysis showed that after 6 months of induction treatment, patients in the high-grade group were more likely to be in non-remission than those in the low-grade group (odds ratios [ORs] of the three adjusted models were 4.310, 4.239, and 5.088, respectively, P-values were 0.005, 0.006, and 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients in the intermediate- and high-grade groups had significantly lower renal cumulative survival rate than those in the low-grade group (P = 0.025). Univariate Cox analysis showed that the risk of adverse renal outcome was 3.662 times higher in the intermediate- and high-grade groups…
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2024) A single-center retrospective study of ectopic lymphoid tissues in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic value. PeerJ 12:e18703 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18703
date submitted: 2024-05-28
date accepted: 2024-11-22
issued: 2024-12-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Siyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Haiying
author list: Agent
  family name: Rao
  given name: Siyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Yuanyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wan
  given name: Jianxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18703
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-09
copyright: © 2024 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Association of vaccine intention against COVID-19 using the 5C Scale and its constructs: a Pima County, Arizona cross-sectional survey
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Vaccine hesitancy has been ranked as one of the top 10 threats to global health by the World Health Organization. The 5C model (Confidence, Calculation of risk, Complacency, Collective Responsibility, and Constraints) and an accompanying tool to measure vaccine hesitancy, summarize several significant explanatory variables, and move beyond the most common explanatory variable, Confidence. Methods From January to May 2021, we administered a cross-sectional survey among adults in Pima County, Arizona in collaboration with the local health department to assess psychological antecedents to (i.e., psychological factors that lead to) COVID-19 vaccination using the 5C Scale. Participants were recruited virtually for the survey using multiple recruitment methods. Unadjusted and adjusted hierarchical ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to determine if the 5C variables had an association with intention to vaccinate (or intent to vaccinate) against COVID-19. Results Of the 1,823 participants who responded to the survey, 924 (76%) were included in the final analyses. Respondents were White (71%), non-Hispanic (59%), Female (68%), Liberal (37%) and Married (46%). The average age of the participants was 43.9 (±1.3) years. Based on the 5C Scale, Confidence (adjOR:3.64, CI [3.08–4.29]), Collective Responsibility (adjOR:1.94, CI [1.57–2.39]) and Complacency (adjOR:0.64, CI [0.51–0.80]) were significantly associated with intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Conclusion Three of the five 5C variables were associated with the intention to vaccinate, two positively and one negatively. A limitation of the study was that the sample was not weighted to be representative of Pima County. Future research should focus on determining which interventions can bolster Confidence and Collective Responsibility attitudes in communities, while dampening Complacency, to better promote vaccine uptake.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maiya G. Block Ngaybe
creator: Namoonga Mantina
creator: Benjamin Pope
creator: Veena Raghuraman
creator: Jacob Marczak
creator: Sonja Velickovic
creator: Dominique Jordan
creator: Mary Kinkade
creator: Carlos Mario Perez-Velez
creator: Beatrice J. Krauss
creator: Shailesh M. Advani
creator: Melanie Bell
creator: Purnima Madhivanan
subject: Global Health
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18316
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Block Ngaybe et al.
abstract: Background Vaccine hesitancy has been ranked as one of the top 10 threats to global health by the World Health Organization. The 5C model (Confidence, Calculation of risk, Complacency, Collective Responsibility, and Constraints) and an accompanying tool to measure vaccine hesitancy, summarize several significant explanatory variables, and move beyond the most common explanatory variable, Confidence. Methods From January to May 2021, we administered a cross-sectional survey among adults in Pima County, Arizona in collaboration with the local health department to assess psychological antecedents to (i.e., psychological factors that lead to) COVID-19 vaccination using the 5C Scale. Participants were recruited virtually for the survey using multiple recruitment methods. Unadjusted and adjusted hierarchical ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to determine if the 5C variables had an association with intention to vaccinate (or intent to vaccinate) against COVID-19. Results Of the 1,823 participants who responded to the survey, 924 (76%) were included in the final analyses. Respondents were White (71%), non-Hispanic (59%), Female (68%), Liberal (37%) and Married (46%). The average age of the participants was 43.9 (±1.3) years. Based on the 5C Scale, Confidence (adjOR:3.64, CI [3.08–4.29]), Collective Responsibility (adjOR:1.94, CI [1.57–2.39]) and Complacency (adjOR:0.64, CI [0.51–0.80]) were significantly associated with intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Conclusion Three of the five 5C variables were associated with the intention to vaccinate, two positively and one negatively. A limitation of the study was that the sample was not weighted to be representative of Pima County. Future research should focus on determining which interventions can bolster Confidence and Collective Responsibility attitudes in communities, while dampening Complacency, to better promote vaccine uptake.
bibliographic citation: Block Ngaybe et al. (2024) Association of vaccine intention against COVID-19 using the 5C Scale and its constructs: a Pima County, Arizona cross-sectional survey. PeerJ 12:e18316 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18316
date submitted: 2024-04-19
date accepted: 2024-09-24
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Block Ngaybe
  given name: Maiya G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mantina
  given name: Namoonga
author list: Agent
  family name: Pope
  given name: Benjamin
author list: Agent
  family name: Raghuraman
  given name: Veena
author list: Agent
  family name: Marczak
  given name: Jacob
author list: Agent
  family name: Velickovic
  given name: Sonja
author list: Agent
  family name: Jordan
  given name: Dominique
author list: Agent
  family name: Kinkade
  given name: Mary
author list: Agent
  family name: Perez-Velez
  given name: Carlos Mario
author list: Agent
  family name: Krauss
  given name: Beatrice J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Advani
  given name: Shailesh M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Bell
  given name: Melanie
author list: Agent
  family name: Madhivanan
  given name: Purnima
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18316
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Block Ngaybe et al.
attribution name: Block Ngaybe et al.

Improvement of contact lens-associated dry eye disease with the use of hydrogen peroxide
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The dropout rate of contact lens users has not decreased significantly over the years. Despite continuous improvements in contact lens (CL) designs, materials and surface treatments, the number of CL users who drop out remains similar to the number of new CL users. The aim of this study is to analyse the improvement in contact lens-associated dry eye disease (CLADE), quantified with the OSDI questionnaire when changing maintenance system solution from multipurpose solution to hydrogen peroxide. Methods This study included contact lens users for over a year as the multipurpose solution for the maintenance system, suffering from CLADE, and those who scored over 13 in the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, and did not manifest any clinical signs over 3 in the EFRON scale. The non-parametric data distribution was verified with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, which was used to compare the visual acuity (VA), OSDI score and bulbar redness (EFRON scale) of the follow-up visit against the baseline value. Results Thirty-eight patients were included. Analysing the clinical parameters between the initial and final visit after one month of hydrogen peroxide use, a statistically significant improvement was found in the VA, bulbar hyperemia, OSDI scale and their subscales of the total sample (P < 0.04). Conclusion This study is intended as a first step towards a standardised protocol of actions to improve CLADE in an attempt to reduce contact lens dropout using OSDI as a tool for detection.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Susana Castro
creator: Laura Garcia-Aguilar
creator: Eduardo Garcia-Brion
creator: Sofia Pérez-García
creator: Consuelo Rosique
creator: Carmelo Baños
creator: Irene Sanchez
subject: Ophthalmology
subject: Pathology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18482
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Castro et al.
abstract: Background The dropout rate of contact lens users has not decreased significantly over the years. Despite continuous improvements in contact lens (CL) designs, materials and surface treatments, the number of CL users who drop out remains similar to the number of new CL users. The aim of this study is to analyse the improvement in contact lens-associated dry eye disease (CLADE), quantified with the OSDI questionnaire when changing maintenance system solution from multipurpose solution to hydrogen peroxide. Methods This study included contact lens users for over a year as the multipurpose solution for the maintenance system, suffering from CLADE, and those who scored over 13 in the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, and did not manifest any clinical signs over 3 in the EFRON scale. The non-parametric data distribution was verified with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, which was used to compare the visual acuity (VA), OSDI score and bulbar redness (EFRON scale) of the follow-up visit against the baseline value. Results Thirty-eight patients were included. Analysing the clinical parameters between the initial and final visit after one month of hydrogen peroxide use, a statistically significant improvement was found in the VA, bulbar hyperemia, OSDI scale and their subscales of the total sample (P < 0.04). Conclusion This study is intended as a first step towards a standardised protocol of actions to improve CLADE in an attempt to reduce contact lens dropout using OSDI as a tool for detection.
bibliographic citation: Castro et al. (2024) Improvement of contact lens-associated dry eye disease with the use of hydrogen peroxide. PeerJ 12:e18482 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18482
date submitted: 2024-07-17
date accepted: 2024-10-16
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Castro
  given name: Susana
author list: Agent
  family name: Garcia-Aguilar
  given name: Laura
author list: Agent
  family name: Garcia-Brion
  given name: Eduardo
author list: Agent
  family name: Pérez-García
  given name: Sofia
author list: Agent
  family name: Rosique
  given name: Consuelo
author list: Agent
  family name: Baños
  given name: Carmelo
author list: Agent
  family name: Sanchez
  given name: Irene
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18482
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: ©2024 Castro et al.
attribution name: Castro et al.

The motivation to inform others: a field experiment with wild chimpanzees
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Accumulating evidence indicates that some ape species produce more alarm behaviors to potential dangers when in the presence of uninformed conspecifics. However, since previous studies presented naturalistic stimuli, the influence of prior experience could not be controlled for. Method To examine this, we investigated whether apes (wild chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, Uganda) would communicate differently about a novel danger (an unusually large spider) depending on whether they were with an uniformed conspecific. We tested nine adult males, four of which were exposed to the danger twice alone (Non-Social group), while the remaining five were exposed to the danger first alone and then in the presence of conspecifics (Social group). Results We found that both alarm calling and gaze marking (i.e., persistent gaze after stimulus detection) were more persistent in the Social than Non-Social group, although the effect of condition only reached statistical significance for gaze marking, nonetheless suggesting that chimpanzees tailored their warning behavior to the presence of others, even if they were already familiar with the potential threat.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Derry Taylor
creator: Sam Adue
creator: Monday M’Botella
creator: Denis Tatone
creator: Marina Davila-Ross
creator: Klaus Zuberbühler
creator: Guillaume Dezecache
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Anthropology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18498
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Taylor et al.
abstract: Background Accumulating evidence indicates that some ape species produce more alarm behaviors to potential dangers when in the presence of uninformed conspecifics. However, since previous studies presented naturalistic stimuli, the influence of prior experience could not be controlled for. Method To examine this, we investigated whether apes (wild chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, Uganda) would communicate differently about a novel danger (an unusually large spider) depending on whether they were with an uniformed conspecific. We tested nine adult males, four of which were exposed to the danger twice alone (Non-Social group), while the remaining five were exposed to the danger first alone and then in the presence of conspecifics (Social group). Results We found that both alarm calling and gaze marking (i.e., persistent gaze after stimulus detection) were more persistent in the Social than Non-Social group, although the effect of condition only reached statistical significance for gaze marking, nonetheless suggesting that chimpanzees tailored their warning behavior to the presence of others, even if they were already familiar with the potential threat.
bibliographic citation: Taylor et al. (2024) The motivation to inform others: a field experiment with wild chimpanzees. PeerJ 12:e18498 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18498
date submitted: 2024-04-29
date accepted: 2024-10-18
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Taylor
  given name: Derry
author list: Agent
  family name: Adue
  given name: Sam
author list: Agent
  family name: M’Botella
  given name: Monday
author list: Agent
  family name: Tatone
  given name: Denis
author list: Agent
  family name: Davila-Ross
  given name: Marina
author list: Agent
  family name: Zuberbühler
  given name: Klaus
author list: Agent
  family name: Dezecache
  given name: Guillaume
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18498
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Taylor et al.
attribution name: Taylor et al.

A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are a diverse and widespread arachnid order with a rich and deep fossil record. Here we review the, sometimes complex, historical development of fossil scorpion higher classification. We present a chronological account of family and genus names, together with an overview of higher taxa as potential clade names. In 1884 Thorell & Lindström divided scorpions based on whether the legs were short and pointed (Apoxypoda) or ended in paired claws (Dionychopoda). Pocock in 1911 used the morphology of the ventral mesosomal sclerites, which could either be bilobed (Lobosterni) or of a modern configuration (Orthosterni). Petrunkevitch in 1949 attached importance to a putative first opisthosomal tergite being present (Protoscorpionina) or absent (Euscorpionina). Kjellesvig-Waering in 1986 recognised four major groups (Holosternina, Meristosternina, Lobosternina and Bilobosternina) based on the shape of the ventral mesosomal sclerites. The Stockwell/Jeram schemes from the 1980s and 1990s proposed a cladistic progression from early branching lineages, for which the names Protoscorpiones and Palaeoscorpiones were used, towards Scorpiones sensu stricto defined by the presence of book lungs and coxapophyses. Scorpiones was further divided into Mesoscorpionina and Neoscorpionina. Neoscorpions were characterised by a reduced number of lateral eye lenses and comprise the paleosterns, with marginal lung spiracles, and orthosterns with spiracles in the middle of the sternite. We briefly discuss the merits of these alternatives and present a summary of the current higher classification of scorpions. Forty-three extinct family groups are currently recognised, and of the 24 living families seven have fossil representatives. Including incertae sedis taxa, there are 76 extinct genera and five extant genera with fossil representatives. Both modern parvorders, Buthida and Iurida, were potentially present in the Triassic. Buthidae, Chaerilidae, Chactidae and pe…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jason A. Dunlop
creator: Russell J. Garwood
subject: Entomology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18557
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Dunlop and Garwood
abstract: Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are a diverse and widespread arachnid order with a rich and deep fossil record. Here we review the, sometimes complex, historical development of fossil scorpion higher classification. We present a chronological account of family and genus names, together with an overview of higher taxa as potential clade names. In 1884 Thorell & Lindström divided scorpions based on whether the legs were short and pointed (Apoxypoda) or ended in paired claws (Dionychopoda). Pocock in 1911 used the morphology of the ventral mesosomal sclerites, which could either be bilobed (Lobosterni) or of a modern configuration (Orthosterni). Petrunkevitch in 1949 attached importance to a putative first opisthosomal tergite being present (Protoscorpionina) or absent (Euscorpionina). Kjellesvig-Waering in 1986 recognised four major groups (Holosternina, Meristosternina, Lobosternina and Bilobosternina) based on the shape of the ventral mesosomal sclerites. The Stockwell/Jeram schemes from the 1980s and 1990s proposed a cladistic progression from early branching lineages, for which the names Protoscorpiones and Palaeoscorpiones were used, towards Scorpiones sensu stricto defined by the presence of book lungs and coxapophyses. Scorpiones was further divided into Mesoscorpionina and Neoscorpionina. Neoscorpions were characterised by a reduced number of lateral eye lenses and comprise the paleosterns, with marginal lung spiracles, and orthosterns with spiracles in the middle of the sternite. We briefly discuss the merits of these alternatives and present a summary of the current higher classification of scorpions. Forty-three extinct family groups are currently recognised, and of the 24 living families seven have fossil representatives. Including incertae sedis taxa, there are 76 extinct genera and five extant genera with fossil representatives. Both modern parvorders, Buthida and Iurida, were potentially present in the Triassic. Buthidae, Chaerilidae, Chactidae and pe…
bibliographic citation: Dunlop et al. (2024) A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics. PeerJ 12:e18557 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18557
date submitted: 2024-08-01
date accepted: 2024-10-30
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dunlop
  given name: Jason A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Garwood
  given name: Russell J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18557
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Dunlop and Garwood
attribution name: Dunlop and Garwood

Nonlinear relationship between circulating natural killer cell count and 1-year relapse rates in myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The relapse rate in myasthenia gravis (MG) is high, and promising therapies have emerged; however, identifying potential predictive factors for relapse remains a challenge. This study aimed to explore the association between circulating natural killer (NK) cell levels and the risk of recurrence in MG. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 265 patients with MG whose data were included in the Neurology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University database between March 2015 and March 2022. Data from electronic medical records were collected, which included the patients’ circulating NK cell count (exposure variable) and demographic/clinical characteristics (covariates). The primary outcome was the 1-year MG recurrence rate. Results The study revealed a non-linear relationship between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence, with an inflection point at 5.38. Below this threshold, the risk of recurrence was low with higher NK cell counts (relative risk (RR): 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.11–0.490]); above this threshold, no significant association was observed (RR: 1.43, 95% CI [0.62–3.34]). Furthermore, the NK cell proportion showed no significant linear or non-linear association with MG recurrence risk (RR: 0.84, 95% CI [0.57–1.2]). Conclusion This study provides epidemiological evidence of a potential association between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence risk, suggesting an immunoregulatory protective effect within a specific NK cell count range. These findings may inform more personalized MG treatment strategies, warranting further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yifan Zhang
creator: Zhiguo Wen
creator: Meiqiu Chen
creator: Cong Xia
creator: Fang Cai
creator: Lan Chu
subject: Clinical Trials
subject: Immunology
subject: Neurology
subject: Rheumatology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18562
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhang et al.
abstract: Background The relapse rate in myasthenia gravis (MG) is high, and promising therapies have emerged; however, identifying potential predictive factors for relapse remains a challenge. This study aimed to explore the association between circulating natural killer (NK) cell levels and the risk of recurrence in MG. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 265 patients with MG whose data were included in the Neurology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University database between March 2015 and March 2022. Data from electronic medical records were collected, which included the patients’ circulating NK cell count (exposure variable) and demographic/clinical characteristics (covariates). The primary outcome was the 1-year MG recurrence rate. Results The study revealed a non-linear relationship between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence, with an inflection point at 5.38. Below this threshold, the risk of recurrence was low with higher NK cell counts (relative risk (RR): 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.11–0.490]); above this threshold, no significant association was observed (RR: 1.43, 95% CI [0.62–3.34]). Furthermore, the NK cell proportion showed no significant linear or non-linear association with MG recurrence risk (RR: 0.84, 95% CI [0.57–1.2]). Conclusion This study provides epidemiological evidence of a potential association between peripheral NK cell count and MG recurrence risk, suggesting an immunoregulatory protective effect within a specific NK cell count range. These findings may inform more personalized MG treatment strategies, warranting further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2024) Nonlinear relationship between circulating natural killer cell count and 1-year relapse rates in myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study. PeerJ 12:e18562 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18562
date submitted: 2024-01-25
date accepted: 2024-10-31
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yifan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Zhiguo
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Meiqiu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xia
  given name: Cong
author list: Agent
  family name: Cai
  given name: Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Chu
  given name: Lan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18562
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: ©2024 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: An ongoing double-blind examination of (mathematically) smooth functional dependences of population-based genomic distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on quantified environmental parameters has flagged a SNP that has been associated with prostate cancer for dependence on zoonotic viruses. The SNP rs13091518 is an intergenic variant near the gene/pseudo-gene COX6CP6 on chromosome 3. The risk T allele, which is the major allele in all homeostatic populations considered, clearly demonstrates a negative adaptive force of about −0.1 universal genomic energy units/zoonotic virus unit. This biophysical perspective has thus provided evidence for a causative relationship between zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. Our findings are consistent with other studies that have found an association between several zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. This result demonstrates the significance of an intergenic variant in the adaptive response to a viral zoonotic pathogen.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Daniah Alsufyani
creator: James Lindesay
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Biophysics
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Genomics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18583
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Alsufyani and Lindesay
abstract: An ongoing double-blind examination of (mathematically) smooth functional dependences of population-based genomic distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on quantified environmental parameters has flagged a SNP that has been associated with prostate cancer for dependence on zoonotic viruses. The SNP rs13091518 is an intergenic variant near the gene/pseudo-gene COX6CP6 on chromosome 3. The risk T allele, which is the major allele in all homeostatic populations considered, clearly demonstrates a negative adaptive force of about −0.1 universal genomic energy units/zoonotic virus unit. This biophysical perspective has thus provided evidence for a causative relationship between zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. Our findings are consistent with other studies that have found an association between several zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. This result demonstrates the significance of an intergenic variant in the adaptive response to a viral zoonotic pathogen.
bibliographic citation: Alsufyani et al. (2024) Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations. PeerJ 12:e18583 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18583
date submitted: 2024-06-19
date accepted: 2024-11-04
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Alsufyani
  given name: Daniah
author list: Agent
  family name: Lindesay
  given name: James
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18583
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Alsufyani and Lindesay
attribution name: Alsufyani and Lindesay

Upregulation of HPV16E1 and E7 expression and FOXO3a mRNA downregulation in high-grade cervical neoplasia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern, ranking as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) transcribe many genes that might be responsible for cervical cancer development. This study aims to investigate the correlation between the expression of HPV16 early genes and the mRNA expression of human FOXO3a, a tumor suppressor gene, in association with various stages of cervical precancerous lesions. Methods Eighty-five positive HPV16 DNA cervical swab samples were recruited and categorized based on cytology stages, i.e., negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), atypical squamous cell cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). RT-qPCR was performed to amplify HPV16E1, E4, E6, E6*I, E7, and human FOXO3a mRNA expression in all samples. The relative expression of those genes was calculated using GAPDH as a control. Detection of FOXO3a mRNA expression in the cervical cancer cell line by RT-qPCR and meta-analysis of FOXO3a expression using the RNA-Seq dataset by GEPIA2 were analyzed to support the conclusions. Results Among the cervical samples, HPV16E1 and E7 were significantly increased expression correlating to disease severity. HPV16E4 mRNA expression was 100% detected in all LSIL samples, with a significant increase observed from normal to LSIL stages. Conversely, FOXO3a mRNA expression decreased with disease severity, and the lowest expression was observed in HSIL/squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples. In addition, similar results of FOXO3a downregulation were also found in the cervical cancer cell line and RNA-Seq dataset of cervical cancer samples. Conclusion HPV16 early mRNA levels, including E1 and E7, increase during cancer progression, and downregulation of FOXO3a mRNA is a characteristic of cervical cancer cells and HSIL/SCC…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Thanayod Sasivimolrattana
creator: Aileen Gunawan
creator: Warattaya Wattanathavorn
creator: Chavis Pholpong
creator: Arkom Chaiwongkot
creator: Pattarasinee Bhattarakosol
creator: Parvapan Bhattarakosol
subject: Virology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Oncology
subject: Women’s Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18601
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Sasivimolrattana et al.
abstract: Background Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern, ranking as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) transcribe many genes that might be responsible for cervical cancer development. This study aims to investigate the correlation between the expression of HPV16 early genes and the mRNA expression of human FOXO3a, a tumor suppressor gene, in association with various stages of cervical precancerous lesions. Methods Eighty-five positive HPV16 DNA cervical swab samples were recruited and categorized based on cytology stages, i.e., negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), atypical squamous cell cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). RT-qPCR was performed to amplify HPV16E1, E4, E6, E6*I, E7, and human FOXO3a mRNA expression in all samples. The relative expression of those genes was calculated using GAPDH as a control. Detection of FOXO3a mRNA expression in the cervical cancer cell line by RT-qPCR and meta-analysis of FOXO3a expression using the RNA-Seq dataset by GEPIA2 were analyzed to support the conclusions. Results Among the cervical samples, HPV16E1 and E7 were significantly increased expression correlating to disease severity. HPV16E4 mRNA expression was 100% detected in all LSIL samples, with a significant increase observed from normal to LSIL stages. Conversely, FOXO3a mRNA expression decreased with disease severity, and the lowest expression was observed in HSIL/squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples. In addition, similar results of FOXO3a downregulation were also found in the cervical cancer cell line and RNA-Seq dataset of cervical cancer samples. Conclusion HPV16 early mRNA levels, including E1 and E7, increase during cancer progression, and downregulation of FOXO3a mRNA is a characteristic of cervical cancer cells and HSIL/SCC…
bibliographic citation: Sasivimolrattana et al. (2024) Upregulation of HPV16E1 and E7 expression and FOXO3a mRNA downregulation in high-grade cervical neoplasia. PeerJ 12:e18601 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18601
date submitted: 2024-08-02
date accepted: 2024-11-06
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sasivimolrattana
  given name: Thanayod
author list: Agent
  family name: Gunawan
  given name: Aileen
author list: Agent
  family name: Wattanathavorn
  given name: Warattaya
author list: Agent
  family name: Pholpong
  given name: Chavis
author list: Agent
  family name: Chaiwongkot
  given name: Arkom
author list: Agent
  family name: Bhattarakosol
  given name: Pattarasinee
author list: Agent
  family name: Bhattarakosol
  given name: Parvapan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18601
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: ©2024 Sasivimolrattana et al.
attribution name: Sasivimolrattana et al.

Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens magnificens) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens; MFB) is a widely distributed seabird. It has breeding areas in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (extending along Central America up to Baja California) (Schreiber & Burger, 2001). The Fregata magnificens magnificens (MFB-Gal) subspecies is native to the Galápagos Islands. This is the first-time hematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for the F. m. magnificens (MFB-Gal) from the Galápagos Islands. Analysis was run on blood samples drawn from n = 16 adult MFB-Gal captured by hand at their nests at North Seymour and Daphne Major Islands in the Galápagos Islands (n = 10 MFB-Gal in June 2017 and n = 6 MFB-Gal in July 2022). There were ten female birds and six male birds in total. A portable blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for total carbon dioxide (TCO2), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), ionized calcium (iCa), total protein (TP), anion gap and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus™ analyzer. Average heart rate, respiratory rate, body weight, body temperature, biochemistry and hematology parameters were comparable to healthy individuals of other Fregatidae of the same species (magnificent frigatebird subspecies from Brazil, Fregata magnificens, likely F. m. rothschildi) or similar species (great frigatebird, Fregata minor, from the Galápagos Islands). There were some statistically significant differences between the males and females F. m. magnificens (MFB-Gal) in the Galápagos, including bill depth, bill width, wing length, weight, and chloride blood value. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds and other populations of magnificent frigatebirds.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kimberly E. Guzmán
creator: Diane Deresienski
creator: Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
creator: Ronald K. Passingham
creator: Alice Skehel
creator: Catalina Ulloa
creator: Cristina Regalado
creator: Gregory A. Lewbart
creator: Carlos A. Valle
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Environmental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18609
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Guzmán et al.
abstract: The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens; MFB) is a widely distributed seabird. It has breeding areas in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (extending along Central America up to Baja California) (Schreiber & Burger, 2001). The Fregata magnificens magnificens (MFB-Gal) subspecies is native to the Galápagos Islands. This is the first-time hematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for the F. m. magnificens (MFB-Gal) from the Galápagos Islands. Analysis was run on blood samples drawn from n = 16 adult MFB-Gal captured by hand at their nests at North Seymour and Daphne Major Islands in the Galápagos Islands (n = 10 MFB-Gal in June 2017 and n = 6 MFB-Gal in July 2022). There were ten female birds and six male birds in total. A portable blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for total carbon dioxide (TCO2), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), ionized calcium (iCa), total protein (TP), anion gap and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus™ analyzer. Average heart rate, respiratory rate, body weight, body temperature, biochemistry and hematology parameters were comparable to healthy individuals of other Fregatidae of the same species (magnificent frigatebird subspecies from Brazil, Fregata magnificens, likely F. m. rothschildi) or similar species (great frigatebird, Fregata minor, from the Galápagos Islands). There were some statistically significant differences between the males and females F. m. magnificens (MFB-Gal) in the Galápagos, including bill depth, bill width, wing length, weight, and chloride blood value. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds and other populations of magnificent frigatebirds.
bibliographic citation: Guzmán et al. (2024) Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens magnificens) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination. PeerJ 12:e18609 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18609
date submitted: 2024-08-19
date accepted: 2024-11-07
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Guzmán
  given name: Kimberly E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Deresienski
  given name: Diane
author list: Agent
  family name: Muñoz-Pérez
  given name: Juan Pablo
author list: Agent
  family name: Passingham
  given name: Ronald K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Skehel
  given name: Alice
author list: Agent
  family name: Ulloa
  given name: Catalina
author list: Agent
  family name: Regalado
  given name: Cristina
author list: Agent
  family name: Lewbart
  given name: Gregory A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Valle
  given name: Carlos A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18609
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Guzmán et al.
attribution name: Guzmán et al.

The use of phosphate rock and plant growth promoting microorganisms for the management of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R.D. Webster in acidic soils
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Forage production in tropical soils is primarily limited by nutrient deficiencies, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The use of phosphate rock by plants is limited by its low and slow P availability and microbial phosphate solubilization is the main mechanism for P bioavailability in the soil-root system. The objectives of this study were (i) select a nitrogen-fixing bacteria which could be used as a co-inoculant with the Penicillium rugulosum IR94MF1 phosphate-solubilizing fungus and (ii) evaluate under field conditions the effect of inoculation combined with phosphate rock (PR) application on yield and nutrient absorption of a Urochloa decumbens pasture which was previously established in a low-fertility, acidic soil. Methods Various laboratory and greenhouse tests allowed for the selection of Enterobacter cloacae C17 as the co-inoculant bacteria with the IR94MF1 fungus. Later, under field conditions, a factorial, completely randomized block design was used to evaluate the inoculation with the IR94MF1 fungus, the IR94MF1+C17 co-inoculation, and a non-inoculated control. Two levels of fertilization with PR treatment (0 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha P2O5) were applied to each. Results During five consecutive harvests it was observed that the addition of biofertilizers significantly increased (p < 0.05) the herbage mass and N and P assimilation compared to the non-inoculated control. However, no statistically significant differences were observed for the PR application as P source. Conclusion P. rugulosum IR94MF1 is capable of solubilizing and accumulating P from the phosphate rock, making it available for plants growing in acid soils with low N content. These inoculants represent a good option as biofertilizers for tropical grasses already established in acidic soils with low N content.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alexandro Barbosa
creator: Isbelia Reyes
creator: Alexis Valery
creator: Carlos Chacón Labrador
creator: Oscar Martínez
creator: Maximo F. Alonso
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18610
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Barbosa et al.
abstract: Background Forage production in tropical soils is primarily limited by nutrient deficiencies, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The use of phosphate rock by plants is limited by its low and slow P availability and microbial phosphate solubilization is the main mechanism for P bioavailability in the soil-root system. The objectives of this study were (i) select a nitrogen-fixing bacteria which could be used as a co-inoculant with the Penicillium rugulosum IR94MF1 phosphate-solubilizing fungus and (ii) evaluate under field conditions the effect of inoculation combined with phosphate rock (PR) application on yield and nutrient absorption of a Urochloa decumbens pasture which was previously established in a low-fertility, acidic soil. Methods Various laboratory and greenhouse tests allowed for the selection of Enterobacter cloacae C17 as the co-inoculant bacteria with the IR94MF1 fungus. Later, under field conditions, a factorial, completely randomized block design was used to evaluate the inoculation with the IR94MF1 fungus, the IR94MF1+C17 co-inoculation, and a non-inoculated control. Two levels of fertilization with PR treatment (0 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha P2O5) were applied to each. Results During five consecutive harvests it was observed that the addition of biofertilizers significantly increased (p < 0.05) the herbage mass and N and P assimilation compared to the non-inoculated control. However, no statistically significant differences were observed for the PR application as P source. Conclusion P. rugulosum IR94MF1 is capable of solubilizing and accumulating P from the phosphate rock, making it available for plants growing in acid soils with low N content. These inoculants represent a good option as biofertilizers for tropical grasses already established in acidic soils with low N content.
bibliographic citation: Barbosa et al. (2024) The use of phosphate rock and plant growth promoting microorganisms for the management of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R.D. Webster in acidic soils. PeerJ 12:e18610 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18610
date submitted: 2021-08-06
date accepted: 2024-11-07
issued: 2024-12-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Barbosa
  given name: Alexandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Reyes
  given name: Isbelia
author list: Agent
  family name: Valery
  given name: Alexis
author list: Agent
  family name: Chacón Labrador
  given name: Carlos
author list: Agent
  family name: Martínez
  given name: Oscar
author list: Agent
  family name: Alonso
  given name: Maximo F.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18610
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-12-06
copyright: © 2024 Barbosa et al.
attribution name: Barbosa et al.

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359