PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Investigation of the efficacy of siRNA-mediated KRAS gene silencing in pancreatic cancer therapy
items: Coral recruits demonstrate thermal resilience
items: Developing a quality indicator system for evaluating internet plus home care nursing services based on the SERVQUAL model: a Delphi-analytic hierarchy process study
items: Feasibility of continuous physical activity monitoring: first-month recovery markers following joint replacement surgery
items: The influence of parenting styles and coping strategies on anxiety symptoms in adolescents: a comparative study of groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury behavior
items: The associations between well-being and Cloninger’s personality dimensions in a Korean community sample
items: Importance of feature selection stability in the classifier evaluation on high-dimensional genetic data
items: Comparison of iRoot BP Plus and mineral trioxide aggregate for pulpotomy in primary molars under general anesthesia: a 3-year retrospective study
items: Physical development of infants born to patients with COVID-19 during pregnancy: 2 years of age
items: Impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Investigation of the efficacy of siRNA-mediated KRAS gene silencing in pancreatic cancer therapy
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Aim Pancreatic carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that progresses without many symptoms. The difficulty of early diagnosis and an inadequate response to traditional treatments also cause the survival rate of pancreatic cancer to be low. Current research is focusing on methods of diagnosis and treatment, such as gene therapy, to increase survival rates. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) has emerged as a promising advanced therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This study sought to silence the KRAS gene in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line using a complex of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP). Methods In this study, 25 nM siRNA and gold nanoparticles at 0.5 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml, and 0.125 mg/ml concentrations were used to silence the KRAS gene in the CAPAN-1 cell line. Real-time PCR analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis, and double staining were carried out, and xCelligence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to measure proliferation. Results The PCR analysis revealed crossing point (CP) values of actin beta (ACTB) ranging from 33.04 to 35.98, which was in the expected range for all samples. The interaction between the gold nanoparticle/siRNA complex in the double staining analysis revealed that the most effective concentration of gold nanoparticle was 0.125 mg/ml. The WST-1 technique showed that siRNA/AuPEI cells in application groups had a viability rate of over 90%, indicating no toxicity or side effects. The xCELLigence RTCA® showed that at hour 72, there was a significant difference in proliferation in the 0.5 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, 0.25 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, and 0.125 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA application groups compared to the control and siRNA groups (p < 0.05). By hour 96, all three groups were statistically different from the control and siRNA groups in terms of proliferation (p < 0.05). Conclusions The results of this analysis suggest that the AuPEI/siRNA complex can be effectively used to silence the targ…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Büşra Küçükekmekci
creator: Fatma Azize Budak Yıldıran
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18214
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Küçükekmekci and Budak Yıldıran
abstract: Aim Pancreatic carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that progresses without many symptoms. The difficulty of early diagnosis and an inadequate response to traditional treatments also cause the survival rate of pancreatic cancer to be low. Current research is focusing on methods of diagnosis and treatment, such as gene therapy, to increase survival rates. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) has emerged as a promising advanced therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This study sought to silence the KRAS gene in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line using a complex of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP). Methods In this study, 25 nM siRNA and gold nanoparticles at 0.5 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml, and 0.125 mg/ml concentrations were used to silence the KRAS gene in the CAPAN-1 cell line. Real-time PCR analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis, and double staining were carried out, and xCelligence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to measure proliferation. Results The PCR analysis revealed crossing point (CP) values of actin beta (ACTB) ranging from 33.04 to 35.98, which was in the expected range for all samples. The interaction between the gold nanoparticle/siRNA complex in the double staining analysis revealed that the most effective concentration of gold nanoparticle was 0.125 mg/ml. The WST-1 technique showed that siRNA/AuPEI cells in application groups had a viability rate of over 90%, indicating no toxicity or side effects. The xCELLigence RTCA® showed that at hour 72, there was a significant difference in proliferation in the 0.5 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, 0.25 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA, and 0.125 mg/mL PEI/AuNP-siRNA application groups compared to the control and siRNA groups (p < 0.05). By hour 96, all three groups were statistically different from the control and siRNA groups in terms of proliferation (p < 0.05). Conclusions The results of this analysis suggest that the AuPEI/siRNA complex can be effectively used to silence the targ…
bibliographic citation: Küçükekmekci et al. (2024) Investigation of the efficacy of siRNA-mediated KRAS gene silencing in pancreatic cancer therapy. PeerJ 12:e18214 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18214
date submitted: 2024-02-06
date accepted: 2024-09-11
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Küçükekmekci
  given name: Büşra
author list: Agent
  family name: Budak Yıldıran
  given name: Fatma Azize
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18214
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Küçükekmekci and Budak Yıldıran
attribution name: Küçükekmekci and Budak Yıldıran

Coral recruits demonstrate thermal resilience
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent during summer and pose a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems. Restoration efforts have the potential to support native coral populations and guard them against some degree of environmental change, while global action against climate change takes place. Interspecific hybridization is one approach through which resilient coral stock could be generated for restoration. Here we compared the performance of Acropora kenti and A. loripes hybrid and purebred coral recruits under a simulated thermal stress event. A. kenti eggs were successfully fertilized by A. loripes sperm to produce ‘KL’ hybrids, but no ‘LK’ hybrids could be produced from A. loripes eggs and A. kenti sperm. Despite corals in the elevated treatment accruing thermal stress (>12 degree heating weeks over 2 months) known to result in mass bleaching, both purebred and hybrid recruits showed no signs of stress under the simulated temperature regime, based on the performance indicators survivorship, size, color (a proxy of bleaching), and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Comparisons between the hybrids and purebreds studied here must be interpreted with caution because hybrid sample sizes were small. The hybrids did not outperform both of their purebred counterparts for any metrics studied here, demonstrating that there are limitations to the extent to which interspecific hybridization may boost the performance of coral stock. In general, the purebred A. loripes recruits performed best under both ambient and elevated conditions. The performance of the KL hybrid corals was similar to the maternal parental species, A. kenti, or not significantly different to either parental purebred species. The Symbiodiniaceae communities of the KL hybrids were characteristic of their maternal counterparts and may have underpinned the performance differences between the A. kenti/KL hybrid and A. loripes recruits.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Annika M. Lamb
creator: Lesa M. Peplow
creator: Peter L. Harrison
creator: Craig A. Humphrey
creator: Lorenzo Latini
creator: Guy A. McCutchan
creator: Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Climate Change Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18273
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Lamb et al.
abstract: Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent during summer and pose a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems. Restoration efforts have the potential to support native coral populations and guard them against some degree of environmental change, while global action against climate change takes place. Interspecific hybridization is one approach through which resilient coral stock could be generated for restoration. Here we compared the performance of Acropora kenti and A. loripes hybrid and purebred coral recruits under a simulated thermal stress event. A. kenti eggs were successfully fertilized by A. loripes sperm to produce ‘KL’ hybrids, but no ‘LK’ hybrids could be produced from A. loripes eggs and A. kenti sperm. Despite corals in the elevated treatment accruing thermal stress (>12 degree heating weeks over 2 months) known to result in mass bleaching, both purebred and hybrid recruits showed no signs of stress under the simulated temperature regime, based on the performance indicators survivorship, size, color (a proxy of bleaching), and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Comparisons between the hybrids and purebreds studied here must be interpreted with caution because hybrid sample sizes were small. The hybrids did not outperform both of their purebred counterparts for any metrics studied here, demonstrating that there are limitations to the extent to which interspecific hybridization may boost the performance of coral stock. In general, the purebred A. loripes recruits performed best under both ambient and elevated conditions. The performance of the KL hybrid corals was similar to the maternal parental species, A. kenti, or not significantly different to either parental purebred species. The Symbiodiniaceae communities of the KL hybrids were characteristic of their maternal counterparts and may have underpinned the performance differences between the A. kenti/KL hybrid and A. loripes recruits.
bibliographic citation: Lamb et al. (2024) Coral recruits demonstrate thermal resilience. PeerJ 12:e18273 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18273
date submitted: 2024-07-05
date accepted: 2024-09-18
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lamb
  given name: Annika M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Peplow
  given name: Lesa M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Harrison
  given name: Peter L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Humphrey
  given name: Craig A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Latini
  given name: Lorenzo
author list: Agent
  family name: McCutchan
  given name: Guy A.
author list: Agent
  family name: van Oppen
  given name: Madeleine J. H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18273
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: © 2024 Lamb et al.
attribution name: Lamb et al.

Developing a quality indicator system for evaluating internet plus home care nursing services based on the SERVQUAL model: a Delphi-analytic hierarchy process study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background In the context of global population aging and the rapid development of information technology, the demand for Internet Plus Home Care Nursing (Internet+ HCN) services have been on the rise, especially in China. Internet+ HCN services have the potential to maximize existing human resources to counter the shortage of medical healthcare services. However, at present, Internet+ HCN services are difficult to scale due to the lack of standardized service quality governance. Quality indicators for service evaluation of Internet+ HCN services are under-defined. Objective To develop a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, and to shed theoretical light on assessing mHealth service quality from a user experience perspective. Methods An initial quality indicator system was established based on scenarios related to Internet+ HCN services. The Delphi Method was applied to modify the indicators according to experts’ opinions, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to calculate the indicator weight. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services was developed based on the SERVQUAL model. Results Altogether, 17 experts from relevant fields such as nursing education, clinical nursing, health management, and health informatics were consulted through email surveys. The response rates in both rounds of Delphi and the AHP were 100%. The average expert authority coefficients were 0.912 and 0.925 respectively in the two rounds of Delphi. Kendall’s W, indicating variation coefficients, ranged from 0.262 to 0.265. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, comprising five primary indicators and 15 secondary indicators, was developed. Primary indicators and their AHP generated the following weights: assurance (0.245), reliability (0.240), tangibles (0.192), responsiveness (0.190), and empathy (0.132). Conclusions By measuring the services quality gap between user expectations and perc…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lei Ye
creator: Shulan Yang
creator: Biyan Jiang
creator: Caixia Liu
creator: Xiaoqing Jin
creator: Polun Chang
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Global Health
subject: Health Policy
subject: Nursing
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18281
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Ye et al.
abstract: Background In the context of global population aging and the rapid development of information technology, the demand for Internet Plus Home Care Nursing (Internet+ HCN) services have been on the rise, especially in China. Internet+ HCN services have the potential to maximize existing human resources to counter the shortage of medical healthcare services. However, at present, Internet+ HCN services are difficult to scale due to the lack of standardized service quality governance. Quality indicators for service evaluation of Internet+ HCN services are under-defined. Objective To develop a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, and to shed theoretical light on assessing mHealth service quality from a user experience perspective. Methods An initial quality indicator system was established based on scenarios related to Internet+ HCN services. The Delphi Method was applied to modify the indicators according to experts’ opinions, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to calculate the indicator weight. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services was developed based on the SERVQUAL model. Results Altogether, 17 experts from relevant fields such as nursing education, clinical nursing, health management, and health informatics were consulted through email surveys. The response rates in both rounds of Delphi and the AHP were 100%. The average expert authority coefficients were 0.912 and 0.925 respectively in the two rounds of Delphi. Kendall’s W, indicating variation coefficients, ranged from 0.262 to 0.265. Finally, a quality indicator system for evaluating Internet+ HCN services, comprising five primary indicators and 15 secondary indicators, was developed. Primary indicators and their AHP generated the following weights: assurance (0.245), reliability (0.240), tangibles (0.192), responsiveness (0.190), and empathy (0.132). Conclusions By measuring the services quality gap between user expectations and perc…
bibliographic citation: Ye et al. (2024) Developing a quality indicator system for evaluating internet plus home care nursing services based on the SERVQUAL model: a Delphi-analytic hierarchy process study. PeerJ 12:e18281 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18281
date submitted: 2023-07-17
date accepted: 2024-09-19
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ye
  given name: Lei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Shulan
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Biyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Caixia
author list: Agent
  family name: Jin
  given name: Xiaoqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Polun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18281
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: © 2024 Ye et al.
attribution name: Ye et al.

Feasibility of continuous physical activity monitoring: first-month recovery markers following joint replacement surgery
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The role of physical activity (PA) monitoring during the recovery after orthopaedic surgeries is unclear. This study aimed to explore early changes in the pattern and level of PA following orthopedic surgeries. Methods This observational feasibility study included 11 hip replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 66 years and five knee replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 65 years. A PA tracker was used to collect the patients’ daily PA data, including duration of various activity categories, steps taken, and activity intensity count. The PA tracker recorded data from two weeks prior to surgery until four weeks after the surgery. Ratios of PA parameters for each of the first four weeks following surgery were calculated in relation to preoperative measurements. Results Compared to preoperative measurements, during the first four weeks after the surgery, the time spent in a recumbent position decreased from 112% to 106%, while continuous walking time and activity intensity count increased from 27% to 77% and from 35% to 73%, respectively. Step counts increased from 18% to 67%, and sit-to-stands rose from 65% to 93%. No significant changes were found in sitting, standing, sporadic walk time, and sporadic steps. Conclusion Continuously measuring PA using wearable sensors was feasible in orthopedic patients during the perioperative period. Continuous step count, walking time, activity intensity count showed noticeable changes and stable patterns demonstrating their potential for remote monitoring of patients during the early postoperative period.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Arash Ghaffari
creator: Andreas Kappel
creator: Thomas Jakobsen
creator: Søren Kold
creator: Ole Rahbek
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Rehabilitation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18285
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Ghaffari et al.
abstract: Background The role of physical activity (PA) monitoring during the recovery after orthopaedic surgeries is unclear. This study aimed to explore early changes in the pattern and level of PA following orthopedic surgeries. Methods This observational feasibility study included 11 hip replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 66 years and five knee replacement patients (four females) with a mean age of 65 years. A PA tracker was used to collect the patients’ daily PA data, including duration of various activity categories, steps taken, and activity intensity count. The PA tracker recorded data from two weeks prior to surgery until four weeks after the surgery. Ratios of PA parameters for each of the first four weeks following surgery were calculated in relation to preoperative measurements. Results Compared to preoperative measurements, during the first four weeks after the surgery, the time spent in a recumbent position decreased from 112% to 106%, while continuous walking time and activity intensity count increased from 27% to 77% and from 35% to 73%, respectively. Step counts increased from 18% to 67%, and sit-to-stands rose from 65% to 93%. No significant changes were found in sitting, standing, sporadic walk time, and sporadic steps. Conclusion Continuously measuring PA using wearable sensors was feasible in orthopedic patients during the perioperative period. Continuous step count, walking time, activity intensity count showed noticeable changes and stable patterns demonstrating their potential for remote monitoring of patients during the early postoperative period.
bibliographic citation: Ghaffari et al. (2024) Feasibility of continuous physical activity monitoring: first-month recovery markers following joint replacement surgery. PeerJ 12:e18285 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18285
date submitted: 2024-03-11
date accepted: 2024-09-19
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ghaffari
  given name: Arash
author list: Agent
  family name: Kappel
  given name: Andreas
author list: Agent
  family name: Jakobsen
  given name: Thomas
author list: Agent
  family name: Kold
  given name: Søren
author list: Agent
  family name: Rahbek
  given name: Ole
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18285
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Ghaffari et al.
attribution name: Ghaffari et al.

The influence of parenting styles and coping strategies on anxiety symptoms in adolescents: a comparative study of groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury behavior
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global incidence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been increasing year by year, especially among adolescents, and it is highly correlated with the level of anxiety among teenagers, particularly within Chinese cultural contexts where parenting styles significantly influence adolescent behavior. Objective This study examines the role of culturally-influenced parenting styles and adolescent coping strategies in relation to anxiety and NSSI behavior, aiming to clarify these multivariate interactions for better understanding and intervention. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with NSSI-diagnosed adolescents from Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, China, and healthy adolescents from urban schools. Data on background, parenting styles, coping strategies, and anxiety levels were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, and regression analysis. Results Adolescents with NSSI reported higher anxiety levels, more punishment and interference, and less emotional warmth from their fathers compared to the non-NSSI group (p < 0.001). The NSSI group also relied more on emotion-oriented coping strategies, while the non-NSSI group favored problem-oriented approaches (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant effects of NSSI behavior, parenting styles, and coping strategies on anxiety levels. Conclusion This study found that the anxiety levels of NSSI adolescents were significantly higher than those of non-NSSI adolescents in China, which was closely related to less emotional warmth from parents, more punishment and interference, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The results demonstrate that family environment and coping strategies play a critical role in NSSI behavior and anxiety levels, highlighting the importance of emphasizing emotional support and positive coping strategies in the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lingjiang Liu
creator: Xinhui Hu
creator: Huabing Xie
creator: Changzhou Hu
creator: Dongsheng Zhou
creator: Jie Zhang
creator: Yangjian Kong
creator: Fang Cheng
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18378
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Liu et al.
abstract: Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global incidence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been increasing year by year, especially among adolescents, and it is highly correlated with the level of anxiety among teenagers, particularly within Chinese cultural contexts where parenting styles significantly influence adolescent behavior. Objective This study examines the role of culturally-influenced parenting styles and adolescent coping strategies in relation to anxiety and NSSI behavior, aiming to clarify these multivariate interactions for better understanding and intervention. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with NSSI-diagnosed adolescents from Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, China, and healthy adolescents from urban schools. Data on background, parenting styles, coping strategies, and anxiety levels were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, and regression analysis. Results Adolescents with NSSI reported higher anxiety levels, more punishment and interference, and less emotional warmth from their fathers compared to the non-NSSI group (p < 0.001). The NSSI group also relied more on emotion-oriented coping strategies, while the non-NSSI group favored problem-oriented approaches (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant effects of NSSI behavior, parenting styles, and coping strategies on anxiety levels. Conclusion This study found that the anxiety levels of NSSI adolescents were significantly higher than those of non-NSSI adolescents in China, which was closely related to less emotional warmth from parents, more punishment and interference, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The results demonstrate that family environment and coping strategies play a critical role in NSSI behavior and anxiety levels, highlighting the importance of emphasizing emotional support and positive coping strategies in the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2024) The influence of parenting styles and coping strategies on anxiety symptoms in adolescents: a comparative study of groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury behavior. PeerJ 12:e18378 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18378
date submitted: 2024-06-05
date accepted: 2024-10-01
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Lingjiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Xinhui
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Huabing
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Changzhou
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Dongsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Kong
  given name: Yangjian
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Fang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18378
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

The associations between well-being and Cloninger’s personality dimensions in a Korean community sample
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Well-being is a multidimensional construct comprising affective and non-affective components. Previous research has consistently linked personality traits to well-being, yet cultural variations in this association remain underexplored, particularly in collectivistic cultures such as Korea. Therefore, this study aims to identify universal and culture-specific characteristics of personality in relation to well-being. Methods A sample of 527 Korean university students participated, providing data through the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-RS (TCI-RS), self-rated health (SRH), social support (SS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Pearson correlation analysis and ANCOVA, with sex and age as covariates, were employed to examine linear associations. Multidimensional personality profiles were utilized to investigate non-linear associations among character dimensions on different aspects of well-being. All analysis was performed using jamovi 2.3.12. Results Self-directedness and cooperativeness exhibited positive linear associations with both affective (positive and negative affect) and non-affective (SRH, SS, SWLS) components of well-being. Self-directedness emerged as a key predictor across various well-being aspects. Cooperativeness was strongly associated with perception of social support. Self-transcendence showed positive associations with both positive and negative affect, considering interactions with other character dimensions. Discussion While self-directedness played a pivotal role universally, the impact of cooperativeness and self-transcendence appeared to be influenced by cultural factors, enhancing perception of social support and affecting both positive and negative affect in a collectivistic culture. This study illustrates the importance of considering cultural nuances in the relationship between personality and well-being. Future research should delve deeper into cu…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Soo Jin Lee
creator: C. Robert Cloninger
creator: Han Chae
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18379
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Lee et al.
abstract: Background Well-being is a multidimensional construct comprising affective and non-affective components. Previous research has consistently linked personality traits to well-being, yet cultural variations in this association remain underexplored, particularly in collectivistic cultures such as Korea. Therefore, this study aims to identify universal and culture-specific characteristics of personality in relation to well-being. Methods A sample of 527 Korean university students participated, providing data through the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-RS (TCI-RS), self-rated health (SRH), social support (SS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Pearson correlation analysis and ANCOVA, with sex and age as covariates, were employed to examine linear associations. Multidimensional personality profiles were utilized to investigate non-linear associations among character dimensions on different aspects of well-being. All analysis was performed using jamovi 2.3.12. Results Self-directedness and cooperativeness exhibited positive linear associations with both affective (positive and negative affect) and non-affective (SRH, SS, SWLS) components of well-being. Self-directedness emerged as a key predictor across various well-being aspects. Cooperativeness was strongly associated with perception of social support. Self-transcendence showed positive associations with both positive and negative affect, considering interactions with other character dimensions. Discussion While self-directedness played a pivotal role universally, the impact of cooperativeness and self-transcendence appeared to be influenced by cultural factors, enhancing perception of social support and affecting both positive and negative affect in a collectivistic culture. This study illustrates the importance of considering cultural nuances in the relationship between personality and well-being. Future research should delve deeper into cu…
bibliographic citation: Lee et al. (2024) The associations between well-being and Cloninger’s personality dimensions in a Korean community sample. PeerJ 12:e18379 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18379
date submitted: 2024-03-28
date accepted: 2024-10-01
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lee
  given name: Soo Jin
author list: Agent
  family name: Cloninger
  given name: C. Robert
author list: Agent
  family name: Chae
  given name: Han
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18379
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Lee et al.
attribution name: Lee et al.

Importance of feature selection stability in the classifier evaluation on high-dimensional genetic data
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Classifiers trained on high-dimensional data, such as genetic datasets, often encounter situations where the number of features exceeds the number of objects. In these cases, classifiers typically rely on a small subset of features. For a robust algorithm, this subset should remain relatively stable with minor changes in the training data, such as the replacement of a few samples. While the stability of feature selection is a common focus in studies of feature selection algorithms, it is less emphasized in classifier evaluation, where only metrics such as accuracy are commonly used. We investigate the importance of feature selection stability through an empirical study of four classifiers (logistic regression, support vector machine, convex and piecewise Linear, and Random Forest) on seven high dimensional, publicly available, gene datasets. We measure the stability of feature selection using Lustgarten, Nogueira and Jaccard Index measures. We employed our own cross-validation procedure that guarantees a difference of exactly p objects between any two training sets which allows us to control the level of disturbance in the data. Our results show the existence of a drop in feature selection stability when we increase disturbance in the data in all 28 experiment configurations (seven datasets and four classifiers). The relationship is not linear, but resembles more of a hyperbolic pattern. In the evaluation of the tested classifiers, logistic regression demonstrated the highest stability. It was followed in order by support vector machine, convex and piecewise linear, with Random Forest exhibiting the lowest stability among them. This work provides evidence that all tested classifiers are very sensitive to even small changes in learning data in terms of features used by the model, while showing almost no sensitivity in terms of accuracy. The data and codes to reproduce the results in the article are available publicly on GitHub: https://github.com/tlukaszuk/feature-se…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tomasz Łukaszuk
creator: Jerzy Krawczuk
subject: Genomics
subject: Computational Science
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
subject: Data Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18405
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Łukaszuk and Krawczuk
abstract: Classifiers trained on high-dimensional data, such as genetic datasets, often encounter situations where the number of features exceeds the number of objects. In these cases, classifiers typically rely on a small subset of features. For a robust algorithm, this subset should remain relatively stable with minor changes in the training data, such as the replacement of a few samples. While the stability of feature selection is a common focus in studies of feature selection algorithms, it is less emphasized in classifier evaluation, where only metrics such as accuracy are commonly used. We investigate the importance of feature selection stability through an empirical study of four classifiers (logistic regression, support vector machine, convex and piecewise Linear, and Random Forest) on seven high dimensional, publicly available, gene datasets. We measure the stability of feature selection using Lustgarten, Nogueira and Jaccard Index measures. We employed our own cross-validation procedure that guarantees a difference of exactly p objects between any two training sets which allows us to control the level of disturbance in the data. Our results show the existence of a drop in feature selection stability when we increase disturbance in the data in all 28 experiment configurations (seven datasets and four classifiers). The relationship is not linear, but resembles more of a hyperbolic pattern. In the evaluation of the tested classifiers, logistic regression demonstrated the highest stability. It was followed in order by support vector machine, convex and piecewise linear, with Random Forest exhibiting the lowest stability among them. This work provides evidence that all tested classifiers are very sensitive to even small changes in learning data in terms of features used by the model, while showing almost no sensitivity in terms of accuracy. The data and codes to reproduce the results in the article are available publicly on GitHub: https://github.com/tlukaszuk/feature-se…
bibliographic citation: Łukaszuk et al. (2024) Importance of feature selection stability in the classifier evaluation on high-dimensional genetic data. PeerJ 12:e18405 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18405
date submitted: 2024-06-28
date accepted: 2024-10-05
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Łukaszuk
  given name: Tomasz
author list: Agent
  family name: Krawczuk
  given name: Jerzy
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18405
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Łukaszuk and Krawczuk
attribution name: Łukaszuk and Krawczuk

Comparison of iRoot BP Plus and mineral trioxide aggregate for pulpotomy in primary molars under general anesthesia: a 3-year retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Pulpotomy is a widely recommended treatment for deep caries and reversible pulpitis in primary teeth. However, there is a significant lack of large-scale clinical studies evaluating the long-term efficacy of pulpotomy in primary molars, especially in studies with follow-up periods extending beyond a two years. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and iRoot BP Plus for pulpotomy in primary molars performed under general anesthesia and to investigate factors influencing the success rate. Methods In this retrospective study, a total of 942 primary molars from 422 children who met the inclusion criteria underwent pulpotomy. Propensity score matching method (PSM) was used to match the MTA and iRoot BP Plus groups in a 1:1 ratio based on covariates. Efficacy was assessed using the Zurn & Seale criteria. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to analyze the outcomes. Results PSM resulted in 266 pairs of matched teeth from 532 teeth of 291 children (mean age: 4.64 ± 1.07 years, ranging from 2 to 8 years). Long-term clinical and radiographic evaluations revealed higher success rates for iRoot BP Plus (24-month: 99.54%/97.25%; 36-month: 97.22%/95.83%) compared to MTA (24-month: 94.76%/95.29%; 36-month: 92.50%/91.25%). Survival analysis indicated a statistically significant difference between two groups (P = 0.0042). Age, gender, tooth position, and decayed tooth surface showed no significant impact on pulpotomy success, whereas the choice of pulp capping materials significantly influenced the outcome (HR [95% CI]=0.3745[0.1857-0.7552], P = 0.006). Conclusion Clinical and radiographic evaluations support the use of iRoot BP Plus for pulpotomy in primary molars.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yiming Zhao
creator: Yuyan Tao
creator: Yan Wang
creator: Jing Zou
creator: Qiong Zhang
subject: Dentistry
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18453
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhao et al.
abstract: Background Pulpotomy is a widely recommended treatment for deep caries and reversible pulpitis in primary teeth. However, there is a significant lack of large-scale clinical studies evaluating the long-term efficacy of pulpotomy in primary molars, especially in studies with follow-up periods extending beyond a two years. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and iRoot BP Plus for pulpotomy in primary molars performed under general anesthesia and to investigate factors influencing the success rate. Methods In this retrospective study, a total of 942 primary molars from 422 children who met the inclusion criteria underwent pulpotomy. Propensity score matching method (PSM) was used to match the MTA and iRoot BP Plus groups in a 1:1 ratio based on covariates. Efficacy was assessed using the Zurn & Seale criteria. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to analyze the outcomes. Results PSM resulted in 266 pairs of matched teeth from 532 teeth of 291 children (mean age: 4.64 ± 1.07 years, ranging from 2 to 8 years). Long-term clinical and radiographic evaluations revealed higher success rates for iRoot BP Plus (24-month: 99.54%/97.25%; 36-month: 97.22%/95.83%) compared to MTA (24-month: 94.76%/95.29%; 36-month: 92.50%/91.25%). Survival analysis indicated a statistically significant difference between two groups (P = 0.0042). Age, gender, tooth position, and decayed tooth surface showed no significant impact on pulpotomy success, whereas the choice of pulp capping materials significantly influenced the outcome (HR [95% CI]=0.3745[0.1857-0.7552], P = 0.006). Conclusion Clinical and radiographic evaluations support the use of iRoot BP Plus for pulpotomy in primary molars.
bibliographic citation: Zhao et al. (2024) Comparison of iRoot BP Plus and mineral trioxide aggregate for pulpotomy in primary molars under general anesthesia: a 3-year retrospective study. PeerJ 12:e18453 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18453
date submitted: 2024-06-11
date accepted: 2024-10-14
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Yiming
author list: Agent
  family name: Tao
  given name: Yuyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zou
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Qiong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18453
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: ©2024 Zhao et al.
attribution name: Zhao et al.

Physical development of infants born to patients with COVID-19 during pregnancy: 2 years of age
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and pandemic circumstances could negatively impact infant development. This study aimed to investigate the physical development, common pediatric illness incidence, and healthcare utilization over the first 2 years of life of infants born to COVID+ and COVID- patients. Comparisons were also made with infants born pre-pandemic. Methods This is a retrospective observational study at a major academic health system in New York City. Participants include all infants born to birthing persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (N = 758) and without (N = 9,345) from 03/01/2020 to 08/17/2022, infants born pre-pandemic (N = 3,221) from 03/01/2017 to 08/17/2019, and birthing persons of all infants. Results There were no differences in weight, length, or head circumference curves between pandemic infants born to COVID+ and COVID- patients over the first 2 years of life (p > 0.05, repeated ANOVA). Annualized incidence of illness occurrence and healthcare utilization were similar between groups. Compared to pre-pandemic infants, the length of pandemic (COVID-) infants was lower from birth to 9 months (p < 0.0001). Pandemic infants additionally had more adverse perinatal outcomes including increased stillbirth (0.75% vs. 0.12%, p = 0.0001) and decreased gestational age (38.41 ± 2.71 vs. 38.68 ± 2.55 weeks, Cohen’s d = −0.10, p < 0.0001), birthweight (2,597 ± 335 vs. 3,142 ± 643 g, Cohen’s d = −1.06, p < 0.0001), and birth length (48.08 ± 4.61 vs. 49.09 ± 3.93 cm, Cohen’s d = −0.24, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Birthing persons’ SARS-CoV-2 infection status, birthing persons’ profiles, and pandemic circumstances negatively affected perinatal outcomes, newborn physical development, and healthcare utilization. These findings draw clinical attention to the need to follow infants closely and implement enrichment to ensure optimal developmental outcomes.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Anna Eligulashvili
creator: Moshe Gordon
creator: Sheri Nemerofsky
creator: Tomas Havranek
creator: Peter Bernstein
creator: Judy Yee
creator: Wei Hou
creator: Tim Duong
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: Pediatrics
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18481
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Eligulashvili et al.
abstract: Background SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and pandemic circumstances could negatively impact infant development. This study aimed to investigate the physical development, common pediatric illness incidence, and healthcare utilization over the first 2 years of life of infants born to COVID+ and COVID- patients. Comparisons were also made with infants born pre-pandemic. Methods This is a retrospective observational study at a major academic health system in New York City. Participants include all infants born to birthing persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (N = 758) and without (N = 9,345) from 03/01/2020 to 08/17/2022, infants born pre-pandemic (N = 3,221) from 03/01/2017 to 08/17/2019, and birthing persons of all infants. Results There were no differences in weight, length, or head circumference curves between pandemic infants born to COVID+ and COVID- patients over the first 2 years of life (p > 0.05, repeated ANOVA). Annualized incidence of illness occurrence and healthcare utilization were similar between groups. Compared to pre-pandemic infants, the length of pandemic (COVID-) infants was lower from birth to 9 months (p < 0.0001). Pandemic infants additionally had more adverse perinatal outcomes including increased stillbirth (0.75% vs. 0.12%, p = 0.0001) and decreased gestational age (38.41 ± 2.71 vs. 38.68 ± 2.55 weeks, Cohen’s d = −0.10, p < 0.0001), birthweight (2,597 ± 335 vs. 3,142 ± 643 g, Cohen’s d = −1.06, p < 0.0001), and birth length (48.08 ± 4.61 vs. 49.09 ± 3.93 cm, Cohen’s d = −0.24, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Birthing persons’ SARS-CoV-2 infection status, birthing persons’ profiles, and pandemic circumstances negatively affected perinatal outcomes, newborn physical development, and healthcare utilization. These findings draw clinical attention to the need to follow infants closely and implement enrichment to ensure optimal developmental outcomes.
bibliographic citation: Eligulashvili et al. (2024) Physical development of infants born to patients with COVID-19 during pregnancy: 2 years of age. PeerJ 12:e18481 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18481
date submitted: 2024-03-08
date accepted: 2024-10-16
issued: 2024-11-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Eligulashvili
  given name: Anna
author list: Agent
  family name: Gordon
  given name: Moshe
author list: Agent
  family name: Nemerofsky
  given name: Sheri
author list: Agent
  family name: Havranek
  given name: Tomas
author list: Agent
  family name: Bernstein
  given name: Peter
author list: Agent
  family name: Yee
  given name: Judy
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Duong
  given name: Tim
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18481
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-12
copyright: © 2024 Eligulashvili et al.
attribution name: Eligulashvili et al.

Impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of Maize (Zea mays L.)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Aging induces many deteriorative changes to seeds during storage like protein degradation, enzyme inactivation and loss of membrane integrity. In this study, we investigate the impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of maize. Three genotypes African Tall, MAH 14-5 and a local landrace were selected and artificially aged for 96 and 120 h. The aging process led to a decrease in germination, vigour, and total dehydrogenase in seeds, while the electrical conductivity of seed leachates increased, indicating a decline in seed quality. Additionally, there was a variation in the microsculpture pattern of seed coats between genotypes. There was an accumulation of damage on the seed coat surface as the seeds aged and higher damage occurred in African Tall followed by MAH 14-5 and local landrace. Higher catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity were reported in the seed coat of Local landrace and MAH 14-5 that resisted aging and deterioration while, lower catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity was reported in African Tall seed coat that deteriorated during aging. Decrease antioxidant activity in aged seeds might be a possible cause of seed deterioration due to the accumulation of free radicals. Thus, these results clearly show the influence of seed coat structure and antioxidant activity on seed quality during aging.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Vijayan Satya Srii
creator: Nethra Nagarajappa
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17988
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Satya Srii and Nagarajappa
abstract: Aging induces many deteriorative changes to seeds during storage like protein degradation, enzyme inactivation and loss of membrane integrity. In this study, we investigate the impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of maize. Three genotypes African Tall, MAH 14-5 and a local landrace were selected and artificially aged for 96 and 120 h. The aging process led to a decrease in germination, vigour, and total dehydrogenase in seeds, while the electrical conductivity of seed leachates increased, indicating a decline in seed quality. Additionally, there was a variation in the microsculpture pattern of seed coats between genotypes. There was an accumulation of damage on the seed coat surface as the seeds aged and higher damage occurred in African Tall followed by MAH 14-5 and local landrace. Higher catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity were reported in the seed coat of Local landrace and MAH 14-5 that resisted aging and deterioration while, lower catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity was reported in African Tall seed coat that deteriorated during aging. Decrease antioxidant activity in aged seeds might be a possible cause of seed deterioration due to the accumulation of free radicals. Thus, these results clearly show the influence of seed coat structure and antioxidant activity on seed quality during aging.
bibliographic citation: Satya Srii et al. (2024) Impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of Maize (Zea mays L.). PeerJ 12:e17988 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17988
date submitted: 2024-05-17
date accepted: 2024-08-07
issued: 2024-11-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Satya Srii
  given name: Vijayan
author list: Agent
  family name: Nagarajappa
  given name: Nethra
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17988
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-11-11
copyright: ©2024 Satya Srii and Nagarajappa
attribution name: Satya Srii and Nagarajappa

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