Comparative efficacy and safety of 180 W XPS vs. 120 W HPS GreenLight laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Objectives To compare the surgical and functional outcomes of the 120 W HPS and 180 W XPS GreenLight laser vaporization systems in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods In January 2024, a comprehensive search across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, registered under PROSPERO (CRD42024531176). Studies comparing 120 W and 180 W GreenLight lasers in BPH treatment were assessed for clinical outcomes. Results Eight studies were included. The 180 W XPS system improved operation time (MD: 12.70, 95% CI [5.29–20.11], p = 0.0008), lasing duration (MD: 10.09, 95% CI [0.85–19.33], p = 0.03), and catheterization duration (MD: 0.43, 95% CI [0.12–0.74], p = 0.007). No significant differences in energy consumption, energy density, or length of hospital stay were found. Functional outcomes such as International Prostate Symptom Score and maximum urinary flow rate showed no significant differences, except in quality of life (MD: 0.43, 95% CI [0.06–0.80], p = 0.02) and prostate-specific antigen levels (MD: −0.77, 95% CI [−1.28 to −0.25], p = 0.003). The 180 W system exhibited a lower rate of overall (OR: 1.52, 95% CI [1.14–2.04], p = 0.005) and minor complications (OR: 1.84, 95% CI [1.27–2.66], p = 0.001), with no significant differences in major complications or other adverse events. Conclusions The 180 W XPS system demonstrates enhanced efficiency and reduced complication rates, offering a favorable option for BPH treatment, particularly for larger prostates. Future studies should focus on randomized trials to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.
Wang et al. (2024) Comparative efficacy and safety of 180 W XPS vs. 120 W HPS GreenLight laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e18615 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18615
Viral metagenomic investigation of two Caribbean echinoderms, Diadema antillarum (Echinoidea) and Holothuria floridana (Holothuria)
Background Echinoderms play crucial roles in coral reef ecosystems, where they are significant detritivores and herbivores. The phylum is widely known for its boom and bust cycles, driven by food availability, predation pressure and mass mortalities. Hence, surveillance of potential pathogens and associates of grossly normal specimens is important to understanding their roles in ecology and mass mortality. Methods We performed viral surveillance in two common coral reef echinoderms, Diadema antillarum and Holothuria floridana, using metagenomics. Urchin specimens were obtained during the 2022 Diadema antillarum scuticociliatosis mass mortality event from the Caribbean and grossly normal H. floridana specimens from a reef in Florida. Viral metagenomes were assembled and aligned against viral genomes and protein encoding regions. Metagenomic reads and previously sequenced transcriptomes were further investigated for putative viral elements by Kraken2. Results D. antillarum was devoid of viruses typically seen in echinoderms, but H. floridana yielded viral taxa similar to those found in other sea cucumbers, including Pisoniviricetes (Picornaviruses), Ellioviricetes (Bunyaviruses), and Magsaviricetes (Nodaviruses). The lack of viruses detected in D. antillarum may be due to the large amount of host DNA in viral metagenomes, or because viruses are less abundant in D. antillarum tissues when compared to H. floridana tissues. Our results also suggest that RNA amplification approach may influence viral representation in viral metagenomes. While our survey was successful in describing viruses associated with both echinoderms, our results indicate that viruses are less pronounced in D. antillarum than in other echinoderms. These results are important in context of wider investigation on the association between viruses and D. antillarum mass mortalities, since the conventional method used in this study was unsuccessful.
Hewson et al. (2024) Viral metagenomic investigation of two Caribbean echinoderms, Diadema antillarum (Echinoidea) and Holothuria floridana (Holothuria). PeerJ 12:e18321 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18321
Early-diverging plesiosaurs from the Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic) of northwestern Germany
The knowledge of Pliensbachian (Early Jurassic, ∼192.9–184.2 Ma) plesiosaurs is notoriously insufficient. Although there have been specimens described from different parts of the world, only three of them have been established as diagnosable taxa. Here, we describe two previously unreported lower Pliensbachian plesiosaur occurrences that originate from two sites located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. One of the new occurrences is represented by three cervical and three indeterminable vertebrae from Werther, the other includes two associated pectoral or anterior dorsal vertebrae from Bielefeld. Although highly incomplete, the Werther individual, which derived from the Uptonia jamesoni Zone, is found to represent the only reliably identified early Pliensbachian pliosaurid known to date. Its material is geographically and stratigraphically proximate to the late Pliensbachian pliosaurid Arminisaurus schuberti, found in a clay-pit located in the Bielefeld district of Jöllenbeck. However, even though the Werther plesiosaur and A. schuberti show a broadly similar morphology of the preserved cervical section, a precise identification of the Werther taxon is currently impossible.
Sachs et al. (2024) Early-diverging plesiosaurs from the Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic) of northwestern Germany. PeerJ 12:e18408 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18408
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was the specific risk factors of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus spine infection: a retrospective study in a single center
Aim To investigate how risk factors and reduced spinal mobility contribute to spinal infections arising from methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia, known for increased mortality and diagnostic difficulties, especially in patients with septic shock or coma. Methods This retrospective study divided MSSA bacteremia patients into three groups: spinal infections (Group A, n = 14), non-spinal/implant infections (Group B, n = 24), and implant-related infections (Group C, n = 21). Analyses focused on demographics, medical history, laboratory inflammatory markers at antibiotic initiation, and spinal pathologies detected by CT. All results of the statistical analyses were significant at P < 0.05. We employed multinomial univariable logistic regression and contingency table analysis to assess risk factors across three groups. Subsequently, binomial multivariable logistic regression was used to compare Group A against Groups B and C, successfully identifying significant predictors of spinal infection. Results A lower incidence of diabetes (p = 0.029), higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at onset (p = 0.014), and the presence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH); p = 0.022) were significantly associated with spinal infections in Group A. Furthermore, binomial analysis revealed DISH (Odds Ratio (OR) = 41.750; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.86–939.0]; p = 0.019), absence of diabetes (OR = 1.20, CI [1.01–1.43], p = 0.038), elevated CRP (OR = 23.34, CI [1.13–483.4], p = 0.042), and a lower day 3/day 1 white blood cell (WBC) ratio (OR = 0.964, CI [0.93–1.00], p = 0.047) as risk factors when compared with other groups. Conclusion Spinal infection patients with MSSA bacteremia are less likely to have diabetes and more likely to have higher initial CRP levels and DISH. Notably, DISH might be emerging as a distinctive risk factor for spinal infection, underscoring its potential as a marker for clinical awareness.
Endo (2024) Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was the specific risk factors of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus spine infection: a retrospective study in a single center. PeerJ 12:e18432 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18432
Immuno-oncologic profiling by stage-dependent transcriptome and proteome analyses of spontaneously regressing canine cutaneous histiocytoma
Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) is a tumor that originates from dermal Langerhans cells and affects particularly young dogs. The common spontaneous regression of CCH makes it an interesting model in comparative oncology research. Previous studies have indicated that anti-tumor immune responses may be involved, but details remain speculative to date. Here, we asked which specific immuno-oncological dynamics underlie spontaneous regression of CCH on mRNA and protein levels. QuantSeq 3′ mRNA sequencing with functional over-representation analysis and an nCounter RNA hybridization assay were employed on 21 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CCH samples representing three different tumor stages (dataset information: GSE261387—Immuno-Oncologic Profiling by Stage-Dependent Transcriptome and Proteome Analyses of Spontaneously Regressing Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma—OmicsDI). Nine additional samples were subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Surprisingly, only minor stage-specific differences were found. When we investigated expression of B7 family ligands and CD28 family receptors holding co-stimulatory and -inhibitory functions, respectively, we found a higher abundance of CD80, CD86, CTLA4 and CD28, which may trigger a balanced activation of lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. CD80 and CD86 expressing cells were further quantified by in situ hybridization and compared with data from three cases of canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS), a malignant tumor variant originating from antigen-presenting interstitial dendritic cells. A stage-specific increase of CD80 expressing cells was recorded in CCH from the tumor bottom to the top, while CD86 was continuously and homogenously expressed at high levels. Overall expression of CD80 in CCH was similar to that in HS (73.3 ± 37.4% vs 62.1 ± 46.4%), while significantly more CD86 expressing tumor cells were found in CCH (94.7 ± 10.3%) when compared to HS (57.6 ± 11.0%). Our data suggest that major immuno-oncological pathways are not regulated during regression of CCH on the mRNA or protein levels as detectable by the methods used. Instead, our data provide further evidence supporting previous hypotheses towards a role of immune stimulatory B7 family ligands and CD28 family receptors in the regression of CCH.
Loriani Fard et al. (2024) Immuno-oncologic profiling by stage-dependent transcriptome and proteome analyses of spontaneously regressing canine cutaneous histiocytoma. PeerJ 12:e18444 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18444
LRR1 involved in the abscisic acid signaling pathway to regulate the early growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana
Background Living organisms possess the remarkable capacity to swiftly adapt to fluctuations in their environment. In the context of cell signal transduction, a significant challenge lies in ensuring the effective perception of external signals and the execution of appropriate responses. To investigate this phenomenon, a recent study utilized Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant and induced stress by administering abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone, to elucidate the involvement of leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase1 (LRR1) in ABA signaling pathways. Methods Homozygous T-DNA insertion alleles for LRR1 and KIN7 were isolated. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to confirm the expression of the LRR1 gene. Subcellular localization and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) tissue labeling techniques were utilized to determine the expression pattern of the LRR1 gene in cells and tissues. Yeast two-hybrid complementation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay, and GST pull-down assays were conducted to validate the interaction of LRR1 proteins. Results Phenotypic analyses revealed that lrr1 and kin7 mutants are less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of ABA on germination and cotyledon greening that is seen in WT. Mutants LRR1 and kinase 7 (KIN7) exhibited resistance to ABA and displayed normal growth patterns under control conditions. The double mutant lrr1kin7 showed reduced responsiveness to ABA. Conversely, overexpression lines LRR1ox2 and LRR1ox10 demonstrated heightened sensitivity to ABA, resulting in severe growth reduction. qRT-PCR assay indicated that exogenous application of ABA led to significant down-regulation of ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5 transcription factors in LRR1 material compared to wild-type WT material. An investigation was conducted to determine the expression pattern and transcriptional level of LRR1 in Arabidopsis. The results revealed ubiquitous expression of LRR1 across all developmental stages and tissue tested. Subcellular localization assays confirmed the presence of LRR1 on the plasma membrane of cells. Furthermore, BiFC assay, yeast two-hybrid complementation, and GST pull-down assays demonstrated an interaction between LRR1 and PYL6 in vitro. These findings provide substantial insights into the involvement of LRR1 in the ABA signaling pathway while regulating seed germination and cotyledon greening during early development in Arabidopsis. This study significantly advances our understanding regarding the correlation between LRR1 and ABA signaling pathways with potential applications for enhancing crop stress resistance.
Xie et al. (2024) LRR1 involved in the abscisic acid signaling pathway to regulate the early growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana. PeerJ 12:e18460 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18460
A structural equation model for the patient safety competency of clinical nurses
Background Nurses are crucial for enhancing patient safety due to their continuous presence at patients’ bedsides and close interactions with families and other healthcare providers. This study aims to examine the relationships among safety education, perception of patient safety culture, safety control, and patient safety competence in clinical nurses, while also exploring the mediating effect of perceptions on patient safety culture and safety control. Methods The study involved 165 nurses, including 10 males (6.1%) and 155 females (93.9%). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized model, and data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS programs. Results Significant positive correlations were among the frequency of attending safety education, the perception of patient safety culture, safety control, and patient safety competency. The number of safety education briefings attended did not directly influence patient safety competence; however, safety education for nurses indirectly influenced patient safety competence via the perception of patient safety culture and safety control. These findings suggest that enhancing safety education for nurses can improve patient safety competence by shaping their perceptions of patient safety culture and safety control.
Choi et al. (2024) A structural equation model for the patient safety competency of clinical nurses. PeerJ 12:e18462 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18462
Multi-environment QTL mapping identifies major genetic loci influencing soybean main stem node architecture
Soybean plant architecture has a significant impact on yield potential, but the genetic underpinnings of key architectural traits remain elusive. The primary objective of this study was to explore the genetic foundations underlying main stem node number (MSN) in soybeans. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) contained a 234 individual derived from crosses between two cultivars Zhonghuang35 (ZH35) and Jindou21 (JD21) was evaluated for seed hardness across 3 years (2013, 2014, and 2015 in Gansu). Markedly, the parent varieties, shown significant differences in MSN. Also, the RIL population exhibited a wide range of genetic variation in MSN. A high-density genetic map composed of 8,078 specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) markers, spanning 3,480.98 centimorgans (cM) with an average inter-marker distance of 0.59 cM were used to construct linkage map. Using ICIM analysis identified a total of 23 Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) across the 20 chromosome, of which five QTLs were detected in multiple years in Chr.6. Notably, we identified a stable major QTL, qMSN-6-4, explaining up to 24.81% of phenotypic variation. This QTL govern seven candidate genes with potential roles in regulating MSN development in soybean, including Glyma.06G027500 with a domain of unknown function, Glyma.06G027600 involved in proton transport, Glyma.06G027700 linked to proteolysis, Glyma.06G027900 related to transcriptional regulation, and Glyma.06G028000 and Glyma.06G028050 associated with membrane functions. The RT-PCR analysis confirmed that these genes were expressed differently between the parental lines this supports the idea that they may play a role in determining MSN. Glyma.06G027500 and Glyma.06G027600 showing higher expression in JD21 leaves and nodes, while Glyma.06G027700 and Glyma.06G028000 exhibited increased expression in ZH35 stems, highlighting their distinct roles in transcription regulation, membrane activities, and protein degradation that contribute to MSN formation in soybean. This study offers valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms governing soybean MSN, providing a foundation for future research and crop improvement efforts.
Ren et al. (2024) Multi-environment QTL mapping identifies major genetic loci influencing soybean main stem node architecture. PeerJ 12:e18539 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18539
Effect of GR24 on the growth and development of licorice under low phosphorus stress
Background Glycyrrhiza, a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant, is extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry. The growth of Glycyrrhiza is frequently constrained by soil phosphorus availability, as a significant portion of arable land in China suffers from phosphorus deficiency. Method This study utilized Ural Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch as the subject and examined the application of GR24, a synthetic strigolactone, under three phosphorus conditions: none (P1), low (P2), and high (P3). The research aimed to ascertain the optimal concentration of GR24 for promoting licorice growth and development, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for its agricultural management. Results The optimal GR24 concentration for P3 and P2 conditions was identified as G3 (10 µM), which enhanced growth metrics, chlorophyll a and b levels, while also boosting antioxidant enzyme activities in licorice. Specifically under P3, significant increases in liquiritigenin and glycyrrhizic acid levels were observed. Under P2, increases were noted in isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, and liquiritin levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed differential gene, with 137 and 270 genes up-regulated and 77 and 294 genes down-regulated in the P3 and P2 treatments, respectively. GO functional enrichment identified 132 and 436 differentially expressed genes for P3 and P2 respectively, while KEGG pathways were predominantly enriched in plant-pathogen interactions and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Application of GR24 in P1 conditions did not significantly affect growth indices but did enhance glycyrrhetic acid, isoliquiritin, and liquiritin accumulation. Transcriptome profiling in this treatment identified 465 up-regulated and 1,109 down-regulated genes. GO annotation involved 1,108 differentially expressed genes, and KEGG analysis was primarily enriched in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway. Furthermore, transcription factor analysis revealed alterations in the C2H2, NAC, and MYB families, which are associated with phosphorus response.
Jing et al. (2024) Effect of GR24 on the growth and development of licorice under low phosphorus stress. PeerJ 12:e18546 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18546
Divergent effects of short-term and continuous anthropogenic noise exposure on Western Bluebird parental care behavior
Sensory environments are rapidly changing due to increased human activity in urban and non-urban areas alike. For instance, natural and anthropogenic sounds can interfere with parent-offspring communication and mask cues reflective of predation risk, resulting in elevated vigilance at the cost of provisioning. Here we present data from two separate studies involving anthropogenic noise and nestling provisioning behavior in Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana): one in response to short-term (1 h) experimental noise playback and a second in the context of nests located along a gradient of exposure to continuous noise. In the short-term playback experiment, nests were sequentially exposed to trials with either traffic noise or a silent audio track. The effect of the playback type interacted with the effect of the order in which trials were presented. The outcome was that provisioning rates during second trials with the silent track playback were higher than provisioning rates during noise playback on first or second trials, but not first trials with the silent track playback. Additionally, failed provisioning attempts only occurred during noise trials. In contrast, provisioning rates increased with the amplitude of noise among nests located in a gradient of continuous noise exposure. For nests along the noise gradient, the latency to resume provisioning behavior following human disturbance from approaching the nest negatively covaried with noise exposure amplitude. Specifically, birds resumed provisioning behavior more quickly with increased noise amplitude. Collectively, both studies demonstrate that noise can influence avian parental care of offspring, but the direction of the effect of noise are opposite. This difference could reflect variation in populations, noise characteristics or latent environmental contexts, or different ages of nestlings. However, it is also possible that the divergent responses reflect important differences in organismal responses to short-term versus long-term noise exposure. The possibility of mismatches in responses to short-term versus long-term noise exposure should be the focus of additional research, especially because short-term noise exposure experiments are often used to understand the consequences of noise pollution for organisms living in noisy environments.
Ozkan et al. (2024) Divergent effects of short-term and continuous anthropogenic noise exposure on Western Bluebird parental care behavior. PeerJ 12:e18558 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18558