Virtual reality therapy in managing cancer pain in middle-aged and elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Virtual reality technology has been proposed to rehabilitate cancer patients. This study aimed to summarize the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)--based therapies for pain management in middle-aged and elderly cancer patients. Methods This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023400432). We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase, conducted from construction until November 1, 2024. The study examined the effects of VR treatment on pain levels in middle-aged and elderly cancer patients using RCTs as primary or secondary outcome measures. Articles were evaluated for eligibility according to predetermined criteria, and each of the three researchers independently collected the data. The researchers used the heterogeneous selection effects model to calculate the mean effect sizes. Results This meta-analysis included seven RCTs involving 476 patients. The meta-analysis confirmed the significant effect of VR therapy on the management of pain, anxiety, and depression in the middle-aged and elderly cancer population. Conclusions Our research shows that VR could be a significant device for cancer pain management in the middle-aged and elderly and that VR scene therapy may be more effective. Nevertheless, it is essential to use caution when interpreting the findings since the number of research included is small.
Chen et al. (2024) Virtual reality therapy in managing cancer pain in middle-aged and elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e18701 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18701
Pepper power: short-term impact of pepper consumption on the gut bacteriome composition in healthy volunteers
Background Pepper from Capsicum species is a well-established spice with a rich history of culinary use. Some observations have linked its consumption to gastrointestinal discomfort and alterations in stool patterns while it is considered beneficial in some cultures. However, there is lack of information on the direct effect of pepper consumption on human gut microbiota, we conducted dietary intervention studies to assess the impact of pepper on gut bacteriome composition in humans. Methods Ten healthy volunteers were recruited, and each person received 200 ml of 0.14 g/ml fresh Habanero Pepper (Capsicum chinense) daily over a 4-day period after which they abstained from pepper consumption for the subsequent 4 days before resumption of their normal diet. Stool samples were collected at baseline, after pepper consumption, after 4 days without pepper and after 4- and 6-days resumption of normal diet. We sequenced the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and analyzed microbial diversity and composition using the QIIME2 pipeline and relevant R packages. Results Consumption of pepper over a 4-day period led to a higher abundance of Verrucomicrobia, a phylum rarely found in significant proportions at other time points. There was a gradual depletion of Shigella and Staphylococcus spp. from baseline untill the end of the study. Other taxa showed timepoint specific associations, emphasizing the potential impact of short-term dietary interventions on the relative abundance of these genera. Conclusions Our study adds nuance to the understanding of diet-microbiota interactions, highlighting the intricate relationship between pepper consumption and gut bacteriome composition. Further exploration of these dynamics holds promise for personalized dietary recommendations and targeted interventions to support gut microbial health.
Owolo et al. (2024) Pepper power: short-term impact of pepper consumption on the gut bacteriome composition in healthy volunteers. PeerJ 12:e18707 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18707
Prognostic value of serum Mrp 8/14 in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: a retrospective cohort study
Background Mrp 8/14 is abundantly secreted by activated neutrophils during infection and inflammation. However, its prognostic value in acute respiratory distress dyndrome (ARDS) induced by sepsis is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between serum Mrp 8/14 and the prognosis in sepsis-induced ARDS patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods Serum Mrp 8/14 concentrations were analyzed in 118 ARDS patients induced by sepsis included in the analytical study. Patients were enrolled upon admission to the ICU of Nanjing Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. The baseline information and clinical outcomes were obtained. Patients were divided into survivor group and non-survivor group according to whether they died during ICU hospitalization. Results The serum Mrp 8/14 levels were significantly increased in the non-survivor group compared to the survivor group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum Mrp 8/14, albumin and APACHE II were the independent factors for predicting the prognosis of sepsis-induced ARDS during ICU hospitalization after adjustment. Additionally, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for Mrp 8/14 combined with albumin was associated with ICU mortality and was higher than that of Mrp 8/14, albumin, APACHE II and Mrp 8/14 combined with APACHE II (all P < 0.05). A nomogram was constructed to predict ICU mortality and the c-indexes of predictive accuracy was 0.830 in the cohort (P < 0.05). Conclusions The serum Mrp 8/14 upon ICU admission in septic patients may be useful for predicting mortality in sepsis-induced ARDS patients during ICU hospitalization.
Sun et al. (2024) Prognostic value of serum Mrp 8/14 in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: a retrospective cohort study. PeerJ 12:e18718 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18718
Phylogeography of the Mesa Silverside fish Chirostoma jordani (Woolman, 1894) throughout the Mexican Plateau
Background Understanding the processes that influence distribution of organisms is a major goal in evolutionary biology. Speciation in freshwater fishes is mainly associated with the “island-like” model of evolution, in which the formation of land barriers between different hydrographic basins interrupts gene flow and promotes isolation. Freshwater fish therefore provide an excellent model system for macro- and micro-evolutionary studies. The Mesa Silverside, Chirostoma jordani, is one of the most widespread freshwater fish species in the Mexican Plateau, a geologically complex physiographic region with a long history of genesis, destruction and compartmentalization of hydrographic basins that has promoted the dispersal and isolation of freshwater fishes. Methods We used mitochondrial (Cytb and D-loop) and nuclear (first intron of the ribosomal protein S7) data and used phylogeographic and coalescent based methods to elucidate the evolutionary history of C. jordani throughout its distributional range on the Mexican Plateau. Results The results obtained in the present study revealed that C. jordani consists of two main genetic groups with geographical correspondence. Clade I occur exclusively in north-western basin and shows population structure. Clade II is widely distributed across the west, central and eastern basins without population structure. The split between these two main clades was estimated at 1.4 Mya. This cladogenetic event may be associated with the allopatric process promoted by the fragmentation and compartmentalization of hydrographic basins induced by the geological and climatic history of the Mexican Plateau.
Betancourt-Resendes et al. (2024) Phylogeography of the Mesa Silverside fish Chirostoma jordani (Woolman, 1894) throughout the Mexican Plateau. PeerJ 12:e18256 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18256
A polyphasic approach in the identification and biochemical characterization of Dunaliella tertiolecta with biodiesel potential from a saltern in Mauritius
Bioprospecting robust and oleaginous strain is crucial for the commercialization of microalgae-based biodiesel. In this study, a microalgal strain SCH18 was isolated from a solar saltern located in Mauritius. This isolate was identified as Dunaliella tertiolecta based on a polyphasic approach that combined molecular, physiological, and morphological analyses. Furthermore, the effect of different salinities on the biochemical composition and fatty acid profile of this microalga was investigated to explore its potential in producing biodiesel. Results from the growth studies showed that salinity of 1.0 M NaCl was optimal for achieving a high growth rate. Under this salt concentration, the growth rate and the doubling time were calculated as 0.39 ± 0.003 day−1 and 1.79 ± 0.01 days, respectively. In terms of biochemical composition, a substantial amount of carbohydrate (42.02 ± 5.20%), moderate amount of protein (30.35 ± 0.18%) and a low lipid content (17.81 ± 2.4%) were obtained under optimal NaCl concentration. The fatty acid analysis indicated the presence of palmitic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, gamma, and alpha-linolenic acids, which are suitable for biodiesel synthesis. The predicted biodiesel properties were in accordance with the standard of ASTM 6751, indicating that the microalgal isolate D. tertiolecta SCH18 is a potential candidate for use in biodiesel production.
Ramdhony et al. (2024) A polyphasic approach in the identification and biochemical characterization of Dunaliella tertiolecta with biodiesel potential from a saltern in Mauritius. PeerJ 12:e18325 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18325
Study of TRAF3IP3 for prognosis and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
Background Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3)-interacting protein 3 (TRAF3IP3) expressed in various tumor cell. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between TRAF3IP3 and HCC and explore the potential role of TRAF3IP3 in HCC. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), KM-Plotter, University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), and Xiantao Academic Online Website were utilized for the systematic analysis of TRAF3IP3. This analysis included mRNA expression, protein expression, prognostic value, enrichment analysis, and immune cell infiltration in HCC. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression levels of TRAF3IP3 in both cancer and non-cancer tissues of patients with HCC. Results Analysis of public databases and immunohistochemical staining on 20 pairs of samples confirmed a decrease in TRAF3IP3 expression in HCC. Both the TCGA database and GSE14520 indicated that patients with high TRAF3IP3 expression had a more favorable prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI), as shown by KM curve results. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further demonstrated that high TRAF3IP3 expression was an independent protective factor for HCC prognosis (hazard ratio (HR): 0.619, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.399–0.959]; p < 0.05). In the high TRAF3IP3 expression group, various immune response-related molecular pathways, particularly B lymphocyte-mediated pathways, were activated. The level of TRAF3IP3 expression showed a significant correlation with the presence of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between immunophenoscore (IPS) and TRAF3IP3 expression. Notably, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs, such as lapatinib and mitomycin, was inversely associated with TRAF3IP3 expression in HCC patients. Conclusion TRAF3IP3 may be as a novel and promising biomarker for prognosis prediction and immunological evaluation of HCC.
Wang et al. (2024) Study of TRAF3IP3 for prognosis and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 12:e18538 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18538
Variation in behaviour of native prey mediates the impact of an invasive species on plankton communities
Trait variation in predator populations can influence the outcome of predator-prey dynamics, with consequences for trophic dynamics and ecosystem functioning. However, the influence of prey trait variation on the impacts of predators is not well understood, especially for introduced predators where variation in prey can shape invasion outcomes. In this study, we investigated if intra-specific differences in vertical position of Daphnia influenced the impacts of the invasive zooplankton predator, Bythotrephes cederströmii, on plankton communities. Our results show that vertical position of Daphnia influenced Bythotrephes predation on smaller cladoceran species and impacts on primary production. Larger reductions in small cladoceran density and greater algal biomass were observed in mesocosms with less spatial overlap between Daphnia and Bythotrephes. These results suggest that differences in vertical position of Daphnia can alter the type and magnitude of Bythotrephes impacts in invaded systems.
Hasnain et al. (2024) Variation in behaviour of native prey mediates the impact of an invasive species on plankton communities. PeerJ 12:e18608 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18608
ClBRN1 from Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium enhances the stress resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis
Background Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum×morifolium Ramat.) is a particularly important autumn perennial flower for potted plant, flower bed and border, and cut flower with high ornamental value. However, abiotic stress can affect the ornamental quality of Chrysanthemum. NAC (NAM, ATAF1-2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in regulating plant growth and development, as well as responding to abiotic stresses. Methods In this study, the ClBRN1 (Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium BEARSKIN gene) was isolated from the Chrysanthemum model plant C. lavandulifolium. And analyze the function of the gene through bioinformatics, subcellular localization and overexpression. Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the ClBRN1 gene was a member of the NAC TFs family, with a CDS (coding sequence) length of 1,080 bp and encoding 359 amino acids. The subcellular localization results found that the gene was located in the nucleus and cell membrane. Furthermore, the transgenic results in Arabidopsis thaliana showed that the gene significantly reduces plant height while improving salt and low temperature tolerance. Observation of paraffin sections of Arabidopsis stems also revealed that the secondary cell wall of overexpressing Arabidopsis stems was significantly thicker than that of wild-type. The above results indicate that the ClBRN1 gene may play an important role in regulating plant resistance to abiotic stress. This study will provide new insights for molecular breeding of resistant chrysanthemums in the future.
Li et al. (2024) ClBRN1 from Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium enhances the stress resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis. PeerJ 12:e18620 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18620
The largest sauropodomorph skull from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of China
The Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of China has long been recognized for its diverse early-diverging sauropodomorph dinosaurs, with eight genera and ten species, representing more than half the Laurasian records. In this paper, we describe a new genus and species of non-sauropodan sauropodomorph, Lishulong wangi gen. et sp. nov., from Yunnan Province in southwestern China. This new taxon is represented by a partial skeleton including the skull and nine articulated cervical vertebrae, which differs from other Lufeng forms in both cranial and cervical characteristics. It bears several autapomorphies of the nasal process, the maxillary neurovascular foramen, and the cervical neural spine. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Lishulong is an early-diverging member of the Sauropodiformes, and the sister-taxon of Yunnanosaurus. Elucidating the novel osteology of Lishulong, it possessed the largest sauropodomorph cranial material currently identified from the Lufeng Formation, not only enriches the diversity of the Lufeng dinosaur assemblage, but also enhances our understanding of the character evolution in early-diverging sauropodiforms. Furthermore, information about paleobiogeographic distributions indicates that Early Jurassic sauropodomorphs, especially Chinese taxa, have maintained multiple dispersions and exchanges within Pangaea.
Zhang et al. (2024) The largest sauropodomorph skull from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of China. PeerJ 12:e18629 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18629
Preoperative 3D printing planning technology combined with orthopedic surgical robot-assisted minimally invasive screw fixation for the treatment of pelvic fractures: a retrospective study
Objective To explore the advantages and effectiveness of preoperative 3D printing planning technology combined with orthopedic surgical robot-assisted screw placement in the minimally invasive treatment of pelvic fractures compared to orthopedic surgical robot-assisted screw placement alone. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 29 patients with unstable pelvic fractures treated with orthopedic surgical robot-assisted percutaneous screw fixation from July 2021 to August 2023 was conducted. Among them, 13 patients who underwent preoperative 3D printing technology for screw planning were assigned to the experimental group, and the remaining 16 patients were assigned to the control group. All patients underwent screw fixation alone or combined with other fixation methods for fracture fixation. The application of preoperative 3D printing planning in orthopedic surgical robot operations was described. The intraoperative screw drawing time, invasive operation time, number of fluoroscopies during invasive operation, postoperative evaluation of screw accuracy, fracture healing, complications, and functional outcomes were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results All patients successfully underwent surgery, with one patient in the control group experiencing numbness in the sciatic nerve innervation area. All patients were followed up for 4–15 months, with an average of 8 months, and all fractures achieved healing. The experimental group had a total of 26 screws inserted, while the control group had 30 screws. In the experimental group, the intraoperative screw drawing time was 3.0 (3.0, 3.37) min, significantly shorter than 4.0 (3.6, 4.0) min in the control group (P < 0.05). The proportion of screws not penetrating the bone postoperatively was 88.5% in the experimental group, significantly higher than 63.3% in the control group (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, the postoperative screw position, compared to the planned screw position, had an average position deviation of 3.05 ± 0.673 mm and an average spatial angle deviation of 2.22 ± 0.605°. At the last follow-up, the Majeed score was used to assess function, with the experimental group having an excellent and good rate of 84.6%, slightly higher than 75.0% in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of pelvic fractures using screw fixation, preoperative 3D printing technology planning combined with orthopedic surgical robots, compared to orthopedic surgical robot-assisted screw placement alone, can significantly reduce intraoperative screw drawing time, decrease drawing difficulty, enhance screw placement accuracy, and does not increase invasive operation time or the number of fluoroscopies. This approach makes the surgery safer and is a method worth applying.
Jing et al. (2024) Preoperative 3D printing planning technology combined with orthopedic surgical robot-assisted minimally invasive screw fixation for the treatment of pelvic fractures: a retrospective study. PeerJ 12:e18632 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18632