PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Passive smoking and risk of pancreatic cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
items: Bivalve microbiomes are shaped by host species, size, parasite infection, and environment
items: Brain tissue oxygen pressure combined with intracranial pressure monitoring may improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis
items: A preliminary study of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from patchy tropical seagrass meadows in Thailand
items: The departure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in response to the declining jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) population in the central portion of the Gulf of California
items: Assessment of combined serum sST2 and AFP levels in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
items: Increased CD14+HLA-DR-/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells can be regarded as a biomarker on disease severity and response to therapy in acute coronary syndrome
items: The vaginal metabolomics profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot investigation in China
items: Contribution of socio-demographic factors in prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among newly arrived laborers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
items: Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Central Sensitization Inventory in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Passive smoking and risk of pancreatic cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Previous meta-analysis has demonstrated that no association was validated between passive smoking and pancreatic cancer. However, there is growing evidence on this issue recently. This study aimed to confirm this association. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 2024 for retrieval of full articles. Studies with the exposure of passive smoking and outcome of pancreatic cancer were eligible for the analysis. We generated pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using DerSimonian–Laird random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system. Results Fourteen studies were included, with 5,560 pancreatic cancer patients. Passive smoking was associated with a moderate increased risk of pancreatic cancer (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.11–1.30, p < 0.001). The results were consistent in both case-control (p=0.013) and cohort studies (p < 0.001) and in studies with high (p = 0.007) and moderate quality (p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the risk was significant for both current (RR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.45-2.51, p < 0.001) and non-current smokers (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36, p = 0.037), for exposure both in adulthood (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31, p = 0.002) and childhood (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.34, p = 0.001). However, only regular or daily exposure (RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.50, p = 0.003), rather than exposing occasionally, seldom or few times per week (p = 0.421), to passive smoking could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Passive smoking exposure confers a significant increased risk for pancreatic cancer. The risk was valid in both case-control and cohort, high and moderate quality studies, in current and non-current smokers, and for both childhood and adulthood exposure. Regular or daily exposure rather than exposing occasionally, seldom or few times per week could exert a detrimental effect on pancreatic cancer.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xudong Wang
creator: Zihan Wang
creator: Xujie Wang
subject: Global Health
subject: Internal Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18017
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Wang et al.
abstract: Background Previous meta-analysis has demonstrated that no association was validated between passive smoking and pancreatic cancer. However, there is growing evidence on this issue recently. This study aimed to confirm this association. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 2024 for retrieval of full articles. Studies with the exposure of passive smoking and outcome of pancreatic cancer were eligible for the analysis. We generated pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using DerSimonian–Laird random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system. Results Fourteen studies were included, with 5,560 pancreatic cancer patients. Passive smoking was associated with a moderate increased risk of pancreatic cancer (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.11–1.30, p < 0.001). The results were consistent in both case-control (p=0.013) and cohort studies (p < 0.001) and in studies with high (p = 0.007) and moderate quality (p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the risk was significant for both current (RR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.45-2.51, p < 0.001) and non-current smokers (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36, p = 0.037), for exposure both in adulthood (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31, p = 0.002) and childhood (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.34, p = 0.001). However, only regular or daily exposure (RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.50, p = 0.003), rather than exposing occasionally, seldom or few times per week (p = 0.421), to passive smoking could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Passive smoking exposure confers a significant increased risk for pancreatic cancer. The risk was valid in both case-control and cohort, high and moderate quality studies, in current and non-current smokers, and for both childhood and adulthood exposure. Regular or daily exposure rather than exposing occasionally, seldom or few times per week could exert a detrimental effect on pancreatic cancer.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2024) Passive smoking and risk of pancreatic cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e18017 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18017
date submitted: 2024-05-27
date accepted: 2024-08-09
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xudong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zihan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xujie
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18017
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Bivalve microbiomes are shaped by host species, size, parasite infection, and environment
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Many factors affect an organism’s microbiome including its environment, proximity to other organisms, and physiological condition. As filter feeders, bivalves have highly plastic microbiomes that are especially influenced by the surrounding seawater, yet they also maintain a unique core set of microbes. Using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, we characterized the bacterial microbiomes of four species of bivalves native to the Mid-Atlantic East Coast of North America: Crassostrea virginica, Macoma balthica, Ameritella mitchelli, and Ischadium recurvum and assessed the impact of their external environment, internal parasites, and size on their microbial communities. We found significant differences in bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) across species, with each species harboring a core ASV present across all individuals. We further found that some C. virginica co-cultured with I. recurvum had high abundances of the I. recurvum core ASV. We identified ASVs associated with infection by the parasites Perkinsus marinus and Zaops ostreum as well others associated with bivalve size. Several of these ASV are candidates for further investigation as potential probiotics, as they were found positively correlated with bivalve size and health. This research represents the first description of the microbiomes of A. mitchelli, I. recurvum, and M. balthica. We document that all four species have highly plastic microbiomes, while maintaining certain core bacteria, with important implications for growth, health, and adaptation to new environments.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn
creator: Monserrat Garcia Ruiz
creator: Diana Portugal Barron
creator: Gregory Ruiz
creator: Katrina Lohan
subject: Ecology
subject: Genetics
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18082
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gignoux-Wolfsohn et al.
abstract: Many factors affect an organism’s microbiome including its environment, proximity to other organisms, and physiological condition. As filter feeders, bivalves have highly plastic microbiomes that are especially influenced by the surrounding seawater, yet they also maintain a unique core set of microbes. Using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, we characterized the bacterial microbiomes of four species of bivalves native to the Mid-Atlantic East Coast of North America: Crassostrea virginica, Macoma balthica, Ameritella mitchelli, and Ischadium recurvum and assessed the impact of their external environment, internal parasites, and size on their microbial communities. We found significant differences in bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) across species, with each species harboring a core ASV present across all individuals. We further found that some C. virginica co-cultured with I. recurvum had high abundances of the I. recurvum core ASV. We identified ASVs associated with infection by the parasites Perkinsus marinus and Zaops ostreum as well others associated with bivalve size. Several of these ASV are candidates for further investigation as potential probiotics, as they were found positively correlated with bivalve size and health. This research represents the first description of the microbiomes of A. mitchelli, I. recurvum, and M. balthica. We document that all four species have highly plastic microbiomes, while maintaining certain core bacteria, with important implications for growth, health, and adaptation to new environments.
bibliographic citation: Gignoux-Wolfsohn et al. (2024) Bivalve microbiomes are shaped by host species, size, parasite infection, and environment. PeerJ 12:e18082 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18082
date submitted: 2023-12-06
date accepted: 2024-08-20
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gignoux-Wolfsohn
  given name: Sarah
author list: Agent
  family name: Garcia Ruiz
  given name: Monserrat
author list: Agent
  family name: Portugal Barron
  given name: Diana
author list: Agent
  family name: Ruiz
  given name: Gregory
author list: Agent
  family name: Lohan
  given name: Katrina
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18082
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: © 2024 Gignoux-Wolfsohn et al.
attribution name: Gignoux-Wolfsohn et al.

Brain tissue oxygen pressure combined with intracranial pressure monitoring may improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Although the optimization of brain oxygenation is thought to improve the prognosis, the effect of brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) remains controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether adding PbtO2 to intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring improves clinical outcomes for patients with STBI. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible trials from their respective inception through April 10th, 2024. We included clinical trials contrasting the combined monitoring of PbtO2 and ICP versus isolated ICP monitoring among patients with STBI. The primary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at 6 months, and secondary outcomes including the in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. Results A total of 16 studies (four randomized studies and 12 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with isolated ICP monitoring, the combined monitoring was associated with a higher favorable neurological outcome rate at 6 months (RR 1.33, 95% CI [1.17–1.51], P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), reduced long-term mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI [0.59–0.87], P = 0.0008, I2 = 2%). No significant difference was identified in the in-hospital mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.01, P = 0.06, I2 = 32%), length of stay in ICU (MD 2.10, 95% CI [−0.37–4.56], P = 0.10, I2 = 78%) and hospital (MD 1.07, 95% CI [−2.54–4.67], P = 0.56, I2 = 49%) between two groups. However, the pooled results of randomized studies did not show beneficial effect of combined monitoring in favorable neurological outcome and long-term mortality. Conclusions Currently, there is limited evidence to prove that the combined PbtO2 and ICP monitoring may contribute to improved neurological outcome and long-term mortality for patients with STBI. However, the benefit of combined monitoring should be further validated in more randomized studies.
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format: text/html
creator: Chengcheng Zhang
creator: Lingmin Zhou
creator: Kai Zhang
creator: Jian Huang
creator: Lanxin Cao
creator: Yuhang Lou
creator: Yushi Fan
creator: Xinyun Zhang
creator: Yesong Wang
creator: Wei Cui
creator: Lihua Hu
creator: Gensheng Zhang
subject: Emergency and Critical Care
subject: Evidence Based Medicine
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18086
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zhang et al.
abstract: Background Although the optimization of brain oxygenation is thought to improve the prognosis, the effect of brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) remains controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether adding PbtO2 to intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring improves clinical outcomes for patients with STBI. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible trials from their respective inception through April 10th, 2024. We included clinical trials contrasting the combined monitoring of PbtO2 and ICP versus isolated ICP monitoring among patients with STBI. The primary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at 6 months, and secondary outcomes including the in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. Results A total of 16 studies (four randomized studies and 12 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with isolated ICP monitoring, the combined monitoring was associated with a higher favorable neurological outcome rate at 6 months (RR 1.33, 95% CI [1.17–1.51], P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), reduced long-term mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI [0.59–0.87], P = 0.0008, I2 = 2%). No significant difference was identified in the in-hospital mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.01, P = 0.06, I2 = 32%), length of stay in ICU (MD 2.10, 95% CI [−0.37–4.56], P = 0.10, I2 = 78%) and hospital (MD 1.07, 95% CI [−2.54–4.67], P = 0.56, I2 = 49%) between two groups. However, the pooled results of randomized studies did not show beneficial effect of combined monitoring in favorable neurological outcome and long-term mortality. Conclusions Currently, there is limited evidence to prove that the combined PbtO2 and ICP monitoring may contribute to improved neurological outcome and long-term mortality for patients with STBI. However, the benefit of combined monitoring should be further validated in more randomized studies.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2024) Brain tissue oxygen pressure combined with intracranial pressure monitoring may improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e18086 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18086
date submitted: 2024-06-07
date accepted: 2024-08-21
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Chengcheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Lingmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Kai
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Cao
  given name: Lanxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Lou
  given name: Yuhang
author list: Agent
  family name: Fan
  given name: Yushi
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Xinyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yesong
author list: Agent
  family name: Cui
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Lihua
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Gensheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18086
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

A preliminary study of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from patchy tropical seagrass meadows in Thailand
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Seagrass meadows are a significant blue carbon sink due to their ability to store large amounts of carbon within sediment. However, the knowledge of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from seagrass meadows is limited, especially from meadows in the tropical region. Therefore, in this study, CO2 and CH4 emissions and carbon metabolism were studied at a tropical seagrass meadow under various conditions. Methods CO2 and CH4 emissions and carbon metabolism were measured using benthic chambers deployed for 18 h at Koh Mook, off the southwest coast of Thailand. The samples were collected from areas of patchy Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, and bare sand three times within 18 h periods of incubation: at low tide at 6 pm (t0), at low tide at 6 am (t1), and at high tide at noon (t2). Results Seagrass meadows at Koh Mook exhibited varying CO2 and CH4 emissions across different sampling areas. CO2 emissions were higher in patchy E. acoroides compared to patchy T. hemprichii and bare sand areas. CH4 emissions were only detected in vegetated areas (patchy E. acoroides and T. hemprichii) and were absent in bare sand. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in net community production across sampling areas, although seagrass meadows were generally considered autotrophic. Koh Mook seagrass meadows contribute only slightly to GHG emissions. The results suggested that the low GHG emissions from Koh Mook seagrass meadows do not outweigh their role as significant carbon sinks, with a value 320 t CO2−eq. This study provided baseline information for estimating GHG emissions in seagrass meadows in Thailand.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Muhammad Halim
creator: Milica Stankovic
creator: Anchana Prathep
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18087
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Halim et al.
abstract: Background Seagrass meadows are a significant blue carbon sink due to their ability to store large amounts of carbon within sediment. However, the knowledge of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from seagrass meadows is limited, especially from meadows in the tropical region. Therefore, in this study, CO2 and CH4 emissions and carbon metabolism were studied at a tropical seagrass meadow under various conditions. Methods CO2 and CH4 emissions and carbon metabolism were measured using benthic chambers deployed for 18 h at Koh Mook, off the southwest coast of Thailand. The samples were collected from areas of patchy Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, and bare sand three times within 18 h periods of incubation: at low tide at 6 pm (t0), at low tide at 6 am (t1), and at high tide at noon (t2). Results Seagrass meadows at Koh Mook exhibited varying CO2 and CH4 emissions across different sampling areas. CO2 emissions were higher in patchy E. acoroides compared to patchy T. hemprichii and bare sand areas. CH4 emissions were only detected in vegetated areas (patchy E. acoroides and T. hemprichii) and were absent in bare sand. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in net community production across sampling areas, although seagrass meadows were generally considered autotrophic. Koh Mook seagrass meadows contribute only slightly to GHG emissions. The results suggested that the low GHG emissions from Koh Mook seagrass meadows do not outweigh their role as significant carbon sinks, with a value 320 t CO2−eq. This study provided baseline information for estimating GHG emissions in seagrass meadows in Thailand.
bibliographic citation: Halim et al. (2024) A preliminary study of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from patchy tropical seagrass meadows in Thailand. PeerJ 12:e18087 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18087
date submitted: 2024-04-15
date accepted: 2024-08-22
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Halim
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Stankovic
  given name: Milica
author list: Agent
  family name: Prathep
  given name: Anchana
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18087
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: © 2024 Halim et al.
attribution name: Halim et al.

The departure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in response to the declining jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) population in the central portion of the Gulf of California
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: As sperm whales are important predators that control energy flux in the oceans, changes in their population can be used as a sentinel to measure of ecosystem health. The present study conducted a sperm whale survey of the eastern Midriff Islands Region in the Gulf of California over the course of nine years, recording sightings and collecting photographs of the fluke of sperm whale individuals. A photo-identification catalog was compiled, while individual recapture data were used to estimate the population size in the central portion of the Gulf of California, using a Jolly-Seber POPAN open population model. The results obtained show a yearly population of between 20 and 167 sperm whales, with a super population of 354 sperm whales observed between 2009 and 2015. However, from 2016 to 2018, no sightings of the species were recorded, which coincides with the decline observed in landings of their main prey, the jumbo squid, in the region. General additive model conducted on sperm whale sightings per unit of effort vs jumbo squid landings obtained an adjusted R2 of 0.644 and a deviance explained of 60.3%, indicating a good non-linear relationship between sightings of this odontocete and its prey availability. This evidence suggests that sperm whales departed the region between 2016 and 2018, due to a documented fishery collapse alongside changes of their main prey into its small phenotype, possibly as the result of increase warming conditions in surface and subsurface waters in the Gulf of California in the last three decades.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Héctor Pérez-Puig
creator: Alejandro Arias Del Razo
creator: Daniela Ahuatzin Gallardo
creator: Jaime Bolaños
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18117
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Pérez-Puig et al.
abstract: As sperm whales are important predators that control energy flux in the oceans, changes in their population can be used as a sentinel to measure of ecosystem health. The present study conducted a sperm whale survey of the eastern Midriff Islands Region in the Gulf of California over the course of nine years, recording sightings and collecting photographs of the fluke of sperm whale individuals. A photo-identification catalog was compiled, while individual recapture data were used to estimate the population size in the central portion of the Gulf of California, using a Jolly-Seber POPAN open population model. The results obtained show a yearly population of between 20 and 167 sperm whales, with a super population of 354 sperm whales observed between 2009 and 2015. However, from 2016 to 2018, no sightings of the species were recorded, which coincides with the decline observed in landings of their main prey, the jumbo squid, in the region. General additive model conducted on sperm whale sightings per unit of effort vs jumbo squid landings obtained an adjusted R2 of 0.644 and a deviance explained of 60.3%, indicating a good non-linear relationship between sightings of this odontocete and its prey availability. This evidence suggests that sperm whales departed the region between 2016 and 2018, due to a documented fishery collapse alongside changes of their main prey into its small phenotype, possibly as the result of increase warming conditions in surface and subsurface waters in the Gulf of California in the last three decades.
bibliographic citation: Pérez-Puig et al. (2024) The departure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in response to the declining jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) population in the central portion of the Gulf of California. PeerJ 12:e18117 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18117
date submitted: 2023-09-11
date accepted: 2024-08-28
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pérez-Puig
  given name: Héctor
author list: Agent
  family name: Arias Del Razo
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahuatzin Gallardo
  given name: Daniela
author list: Agent
  family name: Bolaños
  given name: Jaime
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18117
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Pérez-Puig et al.
attribution name: Pérez-Puig et al.

Assessment of combined serum sST2 and AFP levels in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used diagnostic serum biomarker, but it still has limited accuracy in detecting HCC, suggesting the necessity of seeking more ideal biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. Soluble growth stimulation gene 2 (sST2) form of growth stimulating expression gene 2 (ST2), is expressed in various organs and can bind competitively to interleukin 33 (IL-33). Whether sST2 can serve as a serum biomarker for HCC is largely unknown. Objective To investigate the value of sST2 as a serum diagnostic marker for HCC. Methods This study included 93 newly diagnosed HCC patients (HCC group), 90 chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB group), and 90 healthy individuals (HCs group). Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between sST2 and the experimental indicators in HCC group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve evaluated the efficacy of sST2 alone or in combination with AFP in the diagnosis of HCC. Result The median level of sST2 was significantly higher in HCC group (24.00 [15.20-49.90] ng/mL) compared to CHB group (19.55 [15.23-24.95] ng/mL) and HCs group (7.65 [5.20-10.53] ng/mL). No significant correlations were found between sST2 and other clinical indicators in HCC group. The Area Under Curve (AUC) of ROC curve to distinguish HCC patients from healthy controls and CHB group was 0.861 (sensitivity 82.80%, specificity 72.10%) and 0.709 (sensitivity 80.60%, specificity 52.50%), respectively. When combined with AFP, the AUC increased to 0.963 (sensitivity 82.90%, specificity 94.20%), and 0.895 (sensitivity 72.0%, specificity 100%), respectively. Conclusions The serum level of sST2 increased in HCC and its diagnostic performance is comparable to that of AFP, supporting its potential as a promising biomarker for detection of HCC. The combined use of sST2 and AFP enhances diagnostic efficacy for H…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiuxin Tang
creator: Dong Wang
creator: Tangdan Ding
creator: Rongqi Lin
creator: Meifang He
creator: Ruizhi Wang
creator: Liubing Li
subject: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18142
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Tang et al.
abstract: Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used diagnostic serum biomarker, but it still has limited accuracy in detecting HCC, suggesting the necessity of seeking more ideal biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. Soluble growth stimulation gene 2 (sST2) form of growth stimulating expression gene 2 (ST2), is expressed in various organs and can bind competitively to interleukin 33 (IL-33). Whether sST2 can serve as a serum biomarker for HCC is largely unknown. Objective To investigate the value of sST2 as a serum diagnostic marker for HCC. Methods This study included 93 newly diagnosed HCC patients (HCC group), 90 chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB group), and 90 healthy individuals (HCs group). Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between sST2 and the experimental indicators in HCC group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve evaluated the efficacy of sST2 alone or in combination with AFP in the diagnosis of HCC. Result The median level of sST2 was significantly higher in HCC group (24.00 [15.20-49.90] ng/mL) compared to CHB group (19.55 [15.23-24.95] ng/mL) and HCs group (7.65 [5.20-10.53] ng/mL). No significant correlations were found between sST2 and other clinical indicators in HCC group. The Area Under Curve (AUC) of ROC curve to distinguish HCC patients from healthy controls and CHB group was 0.861 (sensitivity 82.80%, specificity 72.10%) and 0.709 (sensitivity 80.60%, specificity 52.50%), respectively. When combined with AFP, the AUC increased to 0.963 (sensitivity 82.90%, specificity 94.20%), and 0.895 (sensitivity 72.0%, specificity 100%), respectively. Conclusions The serum level of sST2 increased in HCC and its diagnostic performance is comparable to that of AFP, supporting its potential as a promising biomarker for detection of HCC. The combined use of sST2 and AFP enhances diagnostic efficacy for H…
bibliographic citation: Tang et al. (2024) Assessment of combined serum sST2 and AFP levels in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 12:e18142 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18142
date submitted: 2024-06-07
date accepted: 2024-08-30
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Xiuxin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Dong
author list: Agent
  family name: Ding
  given name: Tangdan
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Rongqi
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Meifang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ruizhi
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Liubing
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18142
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Tang et al.
attribution name: Tang et al.

Increased CD14+HLA-DR-/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells can be regarded as a biomarker on disease severity and response to therapy in acute coronary syndrome
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and their implications in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), shedding light on potential therapeutic targets. Experimental Design Peripheral blood samples were collected from 68 ACS patients, 35 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC). Multi-parameter flow cytometry was employed for analysis of M-MDSCs, explored with disease characteristics and progression. Results ACS patients exhibited an increased frequency of circulating M-MDSCs compared to SAP patients and HC. M-MDSCs levels demonstrated associations with ACS type, coronary artery lesions, multi-vessel disease, and cardiac dysfunction severity. Higher M-MDSCs levels were found in obese patients. Notably, therapy led to a significant decrease in M-MDSCs frequency. Furthermore, ACS patients exhibited elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cytokine profile associated with M-MDSCs. Increased expression of arginase-1(Arg-1) was observed in ACS patients, with positive correlations between M-MDSCs levels and IL-6, GM-CSF, and Arg-1 expression. The diagnostic performance of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and M-MDSCs levels varied in predicting the severity of coronary artery stenosis, with TG showing higher specificity, HDL-C displaying higher sensitivity, and M-MDSCs levels demonstrating balanced sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions Assessment of M-MDSCs frequency holds promise as a predictive marker for disease progression and therapy response of coronary artery stenosis. The elevated presence of M-MDSCs suggests their potential role in modulating ACS-related inflammation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yinsheng Tan
creator: Mingde Ren
creator: Jie Hou
creator: Tao Hou
creator: Xianhe Lin
subject: Cardiology
subject: Immunology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18154
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Tan et al.
abstract: Purpose This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and their implications in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), shedding light on potential therapeutic targets. Experimental Design Peripheral blood samples were collected from 68 ACS patients, 35 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC). Multi-parameter flow cytometry was employed for analysis of M-MDSCs, explored with disease characteristics and progression. Results ACS patients exhibited an increased frequency of circulating M-MDSCs compared to SAP patients and HC. M-MDSCs levels demonstrated associations with ACS type, coronary artery lesions, multi-vessel disease, and cardiac dysfunction severity. Higher M-MDSCs levels were found in obese patients. Notably, therapy led to a significant decrease in M-MDSCs frequency. Furthermore, ACS patients exhibited elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cytokine profile associated with M-MDSCs. Increased expression of arginase-1(Arg-1) was observed in ACS patients, with positive correlations between M-MDSCs levels and IL-6, GM-CSF, and Arg-1 expression. The diagnostic performance of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and M-MDSCs levels varied in predicting the severity of coronary artery stenosis, with TG showing higher specificity, HDL-C displaying higher sensitivity, and M-MDSCs levels demonstrating balanced sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions Assessment of M-MDSCs frequency holds promise as a predictive marker for disease progression and therapy response of coronary artery stenosis. The elevated presence of M-MDSCs suggests their potential role in modulating ACS-related inflammation.
bibliographic citation: Tan et al. (2024) Increased CD14+HLA-DR-/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells can be regarded as a biomarker on disease severity and response to therapy in acute coronary syndrome. PeerJ 12:e18154 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18154
date submitted: 2024-06-19
date accepted: 2024-09-01
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Yinsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Mingde
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Xianhe
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18154
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Tan et al.
attribution name: Tan et al.

The vaginal metabolomics profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot investigation in China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder and reproductive endocrine disease, posing an elevated risk to women of reproductive age. Although metabolism differences in serum, amniotic fluid and urine have been documented in PCOS, there remains a paucity of evidence for vaginal fluid. This study aimed to identify the metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers of PCOS in Chinese women of reproductive age. Methods We involved ten newly diagnosed PCOS women who attended gynecology at Zhongda Hospital and matched them with ten healthy controls who conducted health check-up programs at Gulou Maternal and Child Health Center in Nanjing, China from January 1st, 2019 to July 31st, 2020. Non-targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to differentially screen vaginal metabolites between PCOS group and healthy controls. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and enrichment analysis were used to observe differences, search for potential biomarkers and enrich related pathways. Results Among the 20 participants, a total of 195 different metabolites were detected between PCOS group and healthy control group. PCOS and control groups were effectively separated by vaginal fluid. Lipids and lipid-like molecules constituted the majority of differential metabolites. Notably, dopamine exhibited an increased trend in PCOS group and emerged as the most significant differential metabolite, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for identifying PCOS. The application of UHPLC-MS/MS based vaginal metabolomics methods showed significant differences between PCOS and non-PCOS healthy control groups, especially linoleic acid metabolism disorder. Most differential metabolites were enriched in pathways associated with linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, nicotinate and nicot…
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format: text/html
creator: Yan Xuan
creator: Xiang Hong
creator: Xu Zhou
creator: Tao Yan
creator: Pengfei Qin
creator: Danhong Peng
creator: Bei Wang
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Public Health
subject: Women’s Health
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18194
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Xuan et al.
abstract: Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder and reproductive endocrine disease, posing an elevated risk to women of reproductive age. Although metabolism differences in serum, amniotic fluid and urine have been documented in PCOS, there remains a paucity of evidence for vaginal fluid. This study aimed to identify the metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers of PCOS in Chinese women of reproductive age. Methods We involved ten newly diagnosed PCOS women who attended gynecology at Zhongda Hospital and matched them with ten healthy controls who conducted health check-up programs at Gulou Maternal and Child Health Center in Nanjing, China from January 1st, 2019 to July 31st, 2020. Non-targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to differentially screen vaginal metabolites between PCOS group and healthy controls. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and enrichment analysis were used to observe differences, search for potential biomarkers and enrich related pathways. Results Among the 20 participants, a total of 195 different metabolites were detected between PCOS group and healthy control group. PCOS and control groups were effectively separated by vaginal fluid. Lipids and lipid-like molecules constituted the majority of differential metabolites. Notably, dopamine exhibited an increased trend in PCOS group and emerged as the most significant differential metabolite, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for identifying PCOS. The application of UHPLC-MS/MS based vaginal metabolomics methods showed significant differences between PCOS and non-PCOS healthy control groups, especially linoleic acid metabolism disorder. Most differential metabolites were enriched in pathways associated with linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, nicotinate and nicot…
bibliographic citation: Xuan et al. (2024) The vaginal metabolomics profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot investigation in China. PeerJ 12:e18194 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18194
date submitted: 2024-04-28
date accepted: 2024-09-09
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xuan
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Hong
  given name: Xiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Xu
author list: Agent
  family name: Yan
  given name: Tao
author list: Agent
  family name: Qin
  given name: Pengfei
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Danhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Bei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18194
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Xuan et al.
attribution name: Xuan et al.

Contribution of socio-demographic factors in prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among newly arrived laborers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Soil-transmitted diseases are caused by intestinal worms transmitted via various routes into the human body resulting in various clinical manifestations. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic factors contributing mainly to the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among newly arrived laborers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 188 stool specimens were collected and examined macroscopically and microscopically using different techniques. In addition, real-time PCR was used as a molecular tool to detect several STHs. The descriptive analysis was used to evaluate demographic data and categorical variables in association with STHs infection. Results Of all participants, the mean age was 26.08 ± 2.67 years, including 103 females and 85 males. A total of 86 (45.70%) were illiterate, followed by 60 (31.90%) of participants belonging to elementary level. STHs and other intestinal parasites were detected among 35 newly arrived laborers (18.61%). Nineteen cases (10.11%) were infected with STHs, including 15 cases with one STHs (four A. lumbricoides, four N. americanus, four T. trichiura, two S. stercoralis, one A. duodenale) and four cases with two STHs (two T. trichiura and N. americanus; one S. stercoralis and A. duodenale; one T. trichiura and S. stercoralis). High rates of STHs infection were detected among drivers (11.70%) followed by housemaids (11.20%), but with no significant association to occupation. Higher rates of STHs infection were detected among those used to walk on soil barefoot in their home countries before arriving in Jeddah. Conclusion This study found that none of the newly arrived expatriate laborers in Jeddah was aware of STHs. About 10% of them had infection with one or two STHs, mainly among newly arrived laborers from Asian countries. There is a need for awareness programs and regular screening for STHs and other intestinal parasites among newly arrived expatriate laborers.
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creator: Majed H. Wakid
creator: Mohammad F. Al-Refai
subject: Parasitology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Global Health
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18216
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Wakid and Al-Refai
abstract: Background Soil-transmitted diseases are caused by intestinal worms transmitted via various routes into the human body resulting in various clinical manifestations. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic factors contributing mainly to the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among newly arrived laborers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 188 stool specimens were collected and examined macroscopically and microscopically using different techniques. In addition, real-time PCR was used as a molecular tool to detect several STHs. The descriptive analysis was used to evaluate demographic data and categorical variables in association with STHs infection. Results Of all participants, the mean age was 26.08 ± 2.67 years, including 103 females and 85 males. A total of 86 (45.70%) were illiterate, followed by 60 (31.90%) of participants belonging to elementary level. STHs and other intestinal parasites were detected among 35 newly arrived laborers (18.61%). Nineteen cases (10.11%) were infected with STHs, including 15 cases with one STHs (four A. lumbricoides, four N. americanus, four T. trichiura, two S. stercoralis, one A. duodenale) and four cases with two STHs (two T. trichiura and N. americanus; one S. stercoralis and A. duodenale; one T. trichiura and S. stercoralis). High rates of STHs infection were detected among drivers (11.70%) followed by housemaids (11.20%), but with no significant association to occupation. Higher rates of STHs infection were detected among those used to walk on soil barefoot in their home countries before arriving in Jeddah. Conclusion This study found that none of the newly arrived expatriate laborers in Jeddah was aware of STHs. About 10% of them had infection with one or two STHs, mainly among newly arrived laborers from Asian countries. There is a need for awareness programs and regular screening for STHs and other intestinal parasites among newly arrived expatriate laborers.
bibliographic citation: Wakid et al. (2024) Contribution of socio-demographic factors in prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among newly arrived laborers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PeerJ 12:e18216 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18216
date submitted: 2024-07-04
date accepted: 2024-09-11
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wakid
  given name: Majed H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Refai
  given name: Mohammad F.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18216
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: ©2024 Wakid and Al-Refai
attribution name: Wakid and Al-Refai

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Central Sensitization Inventory in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a patient-reported screening instrument that can be used to identify and assess central sensitization (CS)/Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS)-related symptoms. Objective The aim was to translate the CSI into Arabic (CSI-Ar) and to subsequently validate its psychometric properties. Design Cross-sectional. Methods The CSI was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Arabic, and validated following international standardized guidelines. This study included patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (n = 264) and healthy control participants (n = 56). Patients completed the CSI-Ar, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-21), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and 5-level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Patients completed the CSI-Ar twice to assess test–retest reliability. To evaluate discriminative validity, healthy controls participants completed the CSI-Ar. Statistical analyses were conducted to test the internal consistency, reliability, and structural, construct and discriminant validity of CSI-Ar. Results The CSI-Ar showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.919) and excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.874). The CSI-Ar scale had significant correlations (P < 0.001) with all PCS subscales and total score (Spearman’s rho = 0.459–0.563, P < 0.001), all DASS-21 subscales and total score (Spearman’s rho = 0.599–0.685, P < 0.001), the TSK (Spearman’s rho = 0.395, P < 0.001), and the EQ-5D (Spearman’s rho = −0.396, P < 0.001). The Mann-Whitney U-test showed a statistically significant difference between the patient group and the healthy control group (P < 0.001), with the healthy controls displaying a lower average CSI-Ar score (12.27 ± 11.50) when compared to the patient group (27.97 ± 16.08). Factor analysis indicated that the CSI-Ar is a unidimensional tool. Conclusion The CSI-Ar is a reliable and valid screening tool that ca…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sarah E. Tamboosi
creator: Hosam Alzahrani
creator: Fahad H. Alshehri
creator: Msaad Alzhrani
creator: Yasir S. Alshehri
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Neurology
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18251
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Tamboosi et al.
abstract: Background The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a patient-reported screening instrument that can be used to identify and assess central sensitization (CS)/Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS)-related symptoms. Objective The aim was to translate the CSI into Arabic (CSI-Ar) and to subsequently validate its psychometric properties. Design Cross-sectional. Methods The CSI was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Arabic, and validated following international standardized guidelines. This study included patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (n = 264) and healthy control participants (n = 56). Patients completed the CSI-Ar, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-21), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and 5-level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Patients completed the CSI-Ar twice to assess test–retest reliability. To evaluate discriminative validity, healthy controls participants completed the CSI-Ar. Statistical analyses were conducted to test the internal consistency, reliability, and structural, construct and discriminant validity of CSI-Ar. Results The CSI-Ar showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.919) and excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.874). The CSI-Ar scale had significant correlations (P < 0.001) with all PCS subscales and total score (Spearman’s rho = 0.459–0.563, P < 0.001), all DASS-21 subscales and total score (Spearman’s rho = 0.599–0.685, P < 0.001), the TSK (Spearman’s rho = 0.395, P < 0.001), and the EQ-5D (Spearman’s rho = −0.396, P < 0.001). The Mann-Whitney U-test showed a statistically significant difference between the patient group and the healthy control group (P < 0.001), with the healthy controls displaying a lower average CSI-Ar score (12.27 ± 11.50) when compared to the patient group (27.97 ± 16.08). Factor analysis indicated that the CSI-Ar is a unidimensional tool. Conclusion The CSI-Ar is a reliable and valid screening tool that ca…
bibliographic citation: Tamboosi et al. (2024) Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Central Sensitization Inventory in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. PeerJ 12:e18251 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18251
date submitted: 2024-03-01
date accepted: 2024-09-16
issued: 2024-10-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tamboosi
  given name: Sarah E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alzahrani
  given name: Hosam
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshehri
  given name: Fahad H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alzhrani
  given name: Msaad
author list: Agent
  family name: S. Alshehri
  given name: Yasir
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18251
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-10-08
copyright: © 2024 Tamboosi et al.
attribution name: Tamboosi et al.

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