PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Agreement between BTS G-walk and GaitLab in spatiotemporal and pelvic angle measurements in active older adults
items: Evidence of an upper entrainment limit for walking with fractal auditory stimuli
items: FastST: an efficient tool for inferring decomposition and directionality of microbial communities
items: Thermal-bias PCR: generation of amplicon libraries without degenerate primer interference
items: Dynamic effects of irrigation on photosynthesis and yield-related physiological characteristics in different glutinous wheat cultivars
items: Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in a tertiary hospital located in the Dabie Mountains region, China
items: Food selection and feeding patterns in nectarivorous bats: Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Glossophaga soricina
items: The expression of metastasis associated protein 2 in normal development and cancers: mechanism and clinical significance
items: Changes in mercury content in oysters in relation to sediment and seston content in the Colombian Caribbean lagoons
items: The profound impact of COVID-19 on college students’ physical fitness

Agreement between BTS G-walk and GaitLab in spatiotemporal and pelvic angle measurements in active older adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Aging impacts gait, a vital health indicator in older adults, reducing speed and increasing double support time, linked to falls and disability. The World Health Organization advises 150 min/week of moderate or 75 min/week of vigorous exercise, plus strength training, to sustain neuromuscular integrity and locomotor capacity associated with healthy gait patterns in older adults. While 3D motion capture is the gold standard for gait analysis, its cost and complexity limit use, boosting interest in portable inertial sensors like the BTS G-Walk. Yet, their accuracy in active older adults for spatiotemporal parameters and pelvic angles is underexplored, prompting this comparison with BTS GaitLab. Methods Fifty-nine active older adults (aged 65–87, mean 71.2 ± 5.5 years; eight men, 51 women) were assessed using BTS GaitLab (200 Hz cameras, 400 Hz force plates, Helen Hayes protocol, 18 markers) and BTS G-Walk (100 Hz, at L5) during four 10-meter walks at comfortable speed. Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, speed, step length, stance/swing/support times) and pelvic angles (tilt, obliquity, rotation) were compared. Agreement used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), differences used paired t-tests, and variability used coefficient of variation (CV), with p < 0.05. Results Spatial parameters showed strong agreement: cadence (ICC = 0.98), speed (ICC = 0.96), step/stride length (ICC = 0.90–0.92), with no significant differences for cadence and speed (p > 0.05). Temporal parameters had weak agreement (e.g., stance time ICC = −0.18, swing time ICC = −0.54) and significant differences (p < 0.001). Pelvic angles had moderate agreement for tilt and obliquity (ICC = 0.48–0.78, p < 0.007), but low for rotation (ICC < 0.38, p > 0.038). Variability was high for double support time (CV 15.3–20.9%) and pelvic angles (CV > 27%). The sample (59) exceeds typical studies (7–23). Conclusions BTS G-Walk accurately measures spatial gait parameters in active older adults, ideal…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rafael Bittencourt
creator: Laura Kulczynski
creator: César Marcon
creator: Rafael Reimann Baptista
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Biomechanics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20189
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Bittencourt et al.
abstract: Background Aging impacts gait, a vital health indicator in older adults, reducing speed and increasing double support time, linked to falls and disability. The World Health Organization advises 150 min/week of moderate or 75 min/week of vigorous exercise, plus strength training, to sustain neuromuscular integrity and locomotor capacity associated with healthy gait patterns in older adults. While 3D motion capture is the gold standard for gait analysis, its cost and complexity limit use, boosting interest in portable inertial sensors like the BTS G-Walk. Yet, their accuracy in active older adults for spatiotemporal parameters and pelvic angles is underexplored, prompting this comparison with BTS GaitLab. Methods Fifty-nine active older adults (aged 65–87, mean 71.2 ± 5.5 years; eight men, 51 women) were assessed using BTS GaitLab (200 Hz cameras, 400 Hz force plates, Helen Hayes protocol, 18 markers) and BTS G-Walk (100 Hz, at L5) during four 10-meter walks at comfortable speed. Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, speed, step length, stance/swing/support times) and pelvic angles (tilt, obliquity, rotation) were compared. Agreement used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), differences used paired t-tests, and variability used coefficient of variation (CV), with p < 0.05. Results Spatial parameters showed strong agreement: cadence (ICC = 0.98), speed (ICC = 0.96), step/stride length (ICC = 0.90–0.92), with no significant differences for cadence and speed (p > 0.05). Temporal parameters had weak agreement (e.g., stance time ICC = −0.18, swing time ICC = −0.54) and significant differences (p < 0.001). Pelvic angles had moderate agreement for tilt and obliquity (ICC = 0.48–0.78, p < 0.007), but low for rotation (ICC < 0.38, p > 0.038). Variability was high for double support time (CV 15.3–20.9%) and pelvic angles (CV > 27%). The sample (59) exceeds typical studies (7–23). Conclusions BTS G-Walk accurately measures spatial gait parameters in active older adults, ideal…
bibliographic citation: Bittencourt et al. (2025) Agreement between BTS G-walk and GaitLab in spatiotemporal and pelvic angle measurements in active older adults. PeerJ 13:e20189 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20189
date submitted: 2025-04-22
date accepted: 2025-09-15
issued: 2025-10-27
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bittencourt
  given name: Rafael
author list: Agent
  family name: Kulczynski
  given name: Laura
author list: Agent
  family name: Marcon
  given name: César
author list: Agent
  family name: Baptista
  given name: Rafael Reimann
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20189
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-27
copyright: ©2025 Bittencourt et al.
attribution name: Bittencourt et al.

Evidence of an upper entrainment limit for walking with fractal auditory stimuli
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Variability exists in all biological signals, and in human gait research it has been found to be an indicator of neuromuscular system functioning. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), a nonlinear method used to quantify the strength of long-range correlations in the temporal structure of stride-to-stride gait variability, has revealed gait differences in certain populations that are not observed with traditional linear measures like standard deviation. Previous research suggests that humans can adapt gait patterns to match different variability structures through sensory cues, such as auditory metronomes. However, the upper limits of adaptability and the strength of long-term correlations in gait variability remain unclear. Exploring these limits not only deepens our understanding of neuromuscular control mechanisms but could also inform the design of targeted interventions, such as rehabilitation strategies, to enhance motor control in clinical populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible upper limits of long-term correlations in stride-to-stride gait variability, characterized by the fractal scaling index (FSI) using DFA. Methods Fourteen healthy young adults (age 25 ± 3 years; seven females) completed seven treadmill walking trials at a fixed, self-selected speed. The first trial was uncued, and during the remaining six trials participants timed their steps to an auditory metronome with FSI ranging between 1.00 and 1.25. Gait FSI, velocity, stride time, cadence, and the time difference between heel contact and the associated metronome “tones” were calculated. Results Uncued gait FSI averaged 0.76 (±0.1). As the metronome FSI increased from 1.00 to 1.15, gait FSI approximated 1.00. Beyond 1.15 (metronome FSI values of 1.20 and 1.25), gait FSI dropped below 0.70, resembling uncued walking. Other gait measures remained unchanged. These findings suggest an upper gait FSI limit of approximately 1.00 during entrainment to metronome FSI…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cecilia R. Power
creator: Kristen L. Sorensen
creator: Janessa D.M. Drake
creator: William H. Gage
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20176
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Power et al.
abstract: Background Variability exists in all biological signals, and in human gait research it has been found to be an indicator of neuromuscular system functioning. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), a nonlinear method used to quantify the strength of long-range correlations in the temporal structure of stride-to-stride gait variability, has revealed gait differences in certain populations that are not observed with traditional linear measures like standard deviation. Previous research suggests that humans can adapt gait patterns to match different variability structures through sensory cues, such as auditory metronomes. However, the upper limits of adaptability and the strength of long-term correlations in gait variability remain unclear. Exploring these limits not only deepens our understanding of neuromuscular control mechanisms but could also inform the design of targeted interventions, such as rehabilitation strategies, to enhance motor control in clinical populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible upper limits of long-term correlations in stride-to-stride gait variability, characterized by the fractal scaling index (FSI) using DFA. Methods Fourteen healthy young adults (age 25 ± 3 years; seven females) completed seven treadmill walking trials at a fixed, self-selected speed. The first trial was uncued, and during the remaining six trials participants timed their steps to an auditory metronome with FSI ranging between 1.00 and 1.25. Gait FSI, velocity, stride time, cadence, and the time difference between heel contact and the associated metronome “tones” were calculated. Results Uncued gait FSI averaged 0.76 (±0.1). As the metronome FSI increased from 1.00 to 1.15, gait FSI approximated 1.00. Beyond 1.15 (metronome FSI values of 1.20 and 1.25), gait FSI dropped below 0.70, resembling uncued walking. Other gait measures remained unchanged. These findings suggest an upper gait FSI limit of approximately 1.00 during entrainment to metronome FSI…
bibliographic citation: Power et al. (2025) Evidence of an upper entrainment limit for walking with fractal auditory stimuli. PeerJ 13:e20176 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20176
date submitted: 2025-03-27
date accepted: 2025-09-12
issued: 2025-10-27
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Power
  given name: Cecilia R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sorensen
  given name: Kristen L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Drake
  given name: Janessa D.M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gage
  given name: William H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20176
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-27
copyright: ©2025 Power et al.
attribution name: Power et al.

FastST: an efficient tool for inferring decomposition and directionality of microbial communities
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Microbiomes play crucial roles in human health, disease development, and global ecosystem functioning. Understanding the origins, movements, and compositions of microbial communities is essential for unraveling the principles governing microbial ecology. Microbial source tracking (MST) approaches have emerged as valuable tools for quantifying the proportions of different microbial sources within target communities, enabling researchers to track transmissions between hosts and environments, identify similarities between microbiome samples, and determine sources of contamination in various settings. Current MST methods like SourceTracker2 and FEAST have advanced the field by employing Bayesian and expectation-maximization approaches, respectively, but are limited by computational inefficiency with high-dimensional data and inability to infer directionality in source-sink relationships. This study presents a novel computational framework for microbial source tracking called FastST. FastST infers the relative contributions of source environments to sink microbiomes while also determining directionality when source-sink relationships are not predefined. Through extensive simulation studies with varying numbers of sources and complexity, FastST demonstrates superior performance in both accuracy and computational efficiency compared to FEAST and SourceTracker2, maintaining consistent execution times even as the number of source environments increases. Furthermore, the proposed method achieved over 90% accuracy in directionality inference across all tested scenarios, even when multiple major sources are present, broadening its applicability in practical microbiome research and environmental monitoring. FastST and data simulation codes are publicly available at https://github.com/joungmin-choi/FastST.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Joung Min Choi
creator: Xiaowei Wu
creator: Liqing Zhang
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20161
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Choi et al.
abstract: Microbiomes play crucial roles in human health, disease development, and global ecosystem functioning. Understanding the origins, movements, and compositions of microbial communities is essential for unraveling the principles governing microbial ecology. Microbial source tracking (MST) approaches have emerged as valuable tools for quantifying the proportions of different microbial sources within target communities, enabling researchers to track transmissions between hosts and environments, identify similarities between microbiome samples, and determine sources of contamination in various settings. Current MST methods like SourceTracker2 and FEAST have advanced the field by employing Bayesian and expectation-maximization approaches, respectively, but are limited by computational inefficiency with high-dimensional data and inability to infer directionality in source-sink relationships. This study presents a novel computational framework for microbial source tracking called FastST. FastST infers the relative contributions of source environments to sink microbiomes while also determining directionality when source-sink relationships are not predefined. Through extensive simulation studies with varying numbers of sources and complexity, FastST demonstrates superior performance in both accuracy and computational efficiency compared to FEAST and SourceTracker2, maintaining consistent execution times even as the number of source environments increases. Furthermore, the proposed method achieved over 90% accuracy in directionality inference across all tested scenarios, even when multiple major sources are present, broadening its applicability in practical microbiome research and environmental monitoring. FastST and data simulation codes are publicly available at https://github.com/joungmin-choi/FastST.
bibliographic citation: Choi et al. (2025) FastST: an efficient tool for inferring decomposition and directionality of microbial communities. PeerJ 13:e20161 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20161
date submitted: 2025-05-13
date accepted: 2025-09-10
issued: 2025-10-27
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Choi
  given name: Joung Min
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Xiaowei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Liqing
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20161
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-27
copyright: ©2025 Choi et al.
attribution name: Choi et al.

Thermal-bias PCR: generation of amplicon libraries without degenerate primer interference
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to amplify specific gene regions for many taxonomic studies and there have been substantial efforts to develop protocols that efficiently amplify target regions from a majority of mixed-template populations. Most protocols include the use of degenerate oligonucleotide primer pools, which contain mixed nucleotide sequences to improve priming from templates containing non-consensus sequence variations in their primer-binding sites. In this work, computational modeling and experimental measurements revealed that degenerate primers reduce efficiency well before a substantial product pool has been generated. It was also discovered that non-degenerate primers produced amplicons significantly better than their degenerate counterparts when amplifying either a consensus or a non-consensus target. Using quantitative, real-time PCR (qPCR) and data fitting as a guide, a new PCR protocol was developed that avoids the use of degenerate primers and allows for the stable amplification of targets containing mismatches to the targeting primers. This protocol involves the use of only two non-degenerate primers with no intermediate processing steps and it allows for the reproducible production of amplicon sequencing libraries that maintain the fractional representations of rare members.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sean D. Moore
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20241
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Moore
abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to amplify specific gene regions for many taxonomic studies and there have been substantial efforts to develop protocols that efficiently amplify target regions from a majority of mixed-template populations. Most protocols include the use of degenerate oligonucleotide primer pools, which contain mixed nucleotide sequences to improve priming from templates containing non-consensus sequence variations in their primer-binding sites. In this work, computational modeling and experimental measurements revealed that degenerate primers reduce efficiency well before a substantial product pool has been generated. It was also discovered that non-degenerate primers produced amplicons significantly better than their degenerate counterparts when amplifying either a consensus or a non-consensus target. Using quantitative, real-time PCR (qPCR) and data fitting as a guide, a new PCR protocol was developed that avoids the use of degenerate primers and allows for the stable amplification of targets containing mismatches to the targeting primers. This protocol involves the use of only two non-degenerate primers with no intermediate processing steps and it allows for the reproducible production of amplicon sequencing libraries that maintain the fractional representations of rare members.
bibliographic citation: Moore (2025) Thermal-bias PCR: generation of amplicon libraries without degenerate primer interference. PeerJ 13:e20241 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20241
date submitted: 2025-07-16
date accepted: 2025-09-24
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Moore
  given name: Sean D.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20241
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: © 2025 Moore
attribution name: Moore

Dynamic effects of irrigation on photosynthesis and yield-related physiological characteristics in different glutinous wheat cultivars
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Water scarcity critically constrains wheat production in North China, yet the irrigation responsiveness of novel glutinous wheat cultivars remains poorly quantified. This study systematically investigated the physiological mechanisms of common wheat Shimai 19 (SM19), partially glutinous SM19-P (Wx-B1 null), and fully glutinous SM19-N (triple null) under three irrigation regimes: rain-fed (W0), water-saving (W1: jointing irrigation), and conventional irrigation (W2: overwintering + jointing + flowering irrigations). Dynamic monitoring of flag leaf photosynthesis (Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), net photosynthetic rate (Pn)), antioxidant enzyme systems (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) net photosynthetic rate (Pn), malondialdehyde (MDA)), grain starch synthase activities (granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), soluble starch synthase (SSS), adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch branching enzyme (SBE)), and yield components revealed that: (1) SM19 achieved maximum photosynthetic capacity under W1 (Pn increased by 59.54% vs. W0 at 21 days post anthesis (DPA), p < 0.05) with optimal oxidative damage resistance (MDA reduced by 78.73% at 0 DPA), whereas SM19-P and SM19-N required W2 to reach photosynthetic peaks (Pn increased by 60.56% in SM19-P) and enzyme activity maxima (CAT increased by 66.67% in SM19-N). (2) Starch synthase activities peaked under water deficit (W0) early in grain-filling (≤14 DPA) but became tightly coupled to irrigation frequency thereafter. This was supported by a highly significant correlation between irrigation and final yield (r = 0.803, p < 0.01). The coordinated upregulation of AGPase and SSS (r = 0.726, p < 0.01) underpinned this response. The superior branched-starch accumulation in genotype SM19-N (+23%) was linked to its markedly higher SBE activity (r = 0.867, p < 0.01). (3) Yield optimization was genotype-specific: SM19 yield…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yan Li
creator: Xin Wang
creator: Ruoxi Kang
creator: Lixiao Xu
creator: Xuegui Li
creator: Hanyu Liu
creator: Zhennan Qiu
creator: Zhongmin Dai
creator: Yuangang Zhu
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20230
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Li et al.
abstract: Water scarcity critically constrains wheat production in North China, yet the irrigation responsiveness of novel glutinous wheat cultivars remains poorly quantified. This study systematically investigated the physiological mechanisms of common wheat Shimai 19 (SM19), partially glutinous SM19-P (Wx-B1 null), and fully glutinous SM19-N (triple null) under three irrigation regimes: rain-fed (W0), water-saving (W1: jointing irrigation), and conventional irrigation (W2: overwintering + jointing + flowering irrigations). Dynamic monitoring of flag leaf photosynthesis (Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), net photosynthetic rate (Pn)), antioxidant enzyme systems (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) net photosynthetic rate (Pn), malondialdehyde (MDA)), grain starch synthase activities (granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), soluble starch synthase (SSS), adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch branching enzyme (SBE)), and yield components revealed that: (1) SM19 achieved maximum photosynthetic capacity under W1 (Pn increased by 59.54% vs. W0 at 21 days post anthesis (DPA), p < 0.05) with optimal oxidative damage resistance (MDA reduced by 78.73% at 0 DPA), whereas SM19-P and SM19-N required W2 to reach photosynthetic peaks (Pn increased by 60.56% in SM19-P) and enzyme activity maxima (CAT increased by 66.67% in SM19-N). (2) Starch synthase activities peaked under water deficit (W0) early in grain-filling (≤14 DPA) but became tightly coupled to irrigation frequency thereafter. This was supported by a highly significant correlation between irrigation and final yield (r = 0.803, p < 0.01). The coordinated upregulation of AGPase and SSS (r = 0.726, p < 0.01) underpinned this response. The superior branched-starch accumulation in genotype SM19-N (+23%) was linked to its markedly higher SBE activity (r = 0.867, p < 0.01). (3) Yield optimization was genotype-specific: SM19 yield…
bibliographic citation: Li et al. (2025) Dynamic effects of irrigation on photosynthesis and yield-related physiological characteristics in different glutinous wheat cultivars. PeerJ 13:e20230 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20230
date submitted: 2025-05-06
date accepted: 2025-09-23
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Kang
  given name: Ruoxi
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Lixiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xuegui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Hanyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiu
  given name: Zhennan
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Zhongmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Yuangang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20230
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: ©2025 Li et al.
attribution name: Li et al.

Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in a tertiary hospital located in the Dabie Mountains region, China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREc) strains poses a growing threat to global public health, presenting significant clinical and therapeutic challenges. Although extensive studies have been conducted in urban areas and high-incidence countries, data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of CREc in rural regions remain limited, particularly in areas like the Dabie Mountains in China. This knowledge gap is critical because regional variations in resistance mechanisms may differ substantially. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and resistance mechanisms of CREc in a tertiary hospital located in this under-researched region, providing crucial data for regional surveillance and informed public health interventions. Patients and methods Between 2018 and 2022, 33 CREc isolates were obtained from 33 patients at a tertiary hospital in the Dabie Mountains region of China. We performed a retrospective clinical analysis of the patients, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of all 33 CREc isolates. Additionally, phenotypic tests for carbapenemase and AmpC-type β-lactamase production were carried out. Results This study analyzed 33 CREc clinical isolates from a mountainous region hospital in China. The isolates predominantly originated from elderly patients (66.7% aged ≥ 60 years) with comorbidities (75.8%). Phenotypic analysis showed that 97.0% of isolates produced carbapenemases (n = 32), with the gene encoding New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (blaNDM) variants (n = 30) dominated by blaNDM-5 (n = 24) and a notable proportion of blaNDM-13 (n = 4). In addition to carbapenemase genes, the most prevalent resistance genes were those conferring resistance to sulfonamides (97.0%, 32/33) and aminoglycosides (93.9%, 31/33). Notably, 36.4% (n = 12) of isolates exhibited fosA3-mediated fosfomycin resistance, with universal co-carriag…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lu Wang
creator: Wanxian Gong
creator: Jie Zhang
creator: Runan Zhang
creator: Ying Jing
creator: Yuanhong Xu
subject: Genetics
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Infectious Diseases
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20188
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Wang et al.
abstract: Background The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREc) strains poses a growing threat to global public health, presenting significant clinical and therapeutic challenges. Although extensive studies have been conducted in urban areas and high-incidence countries, data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of CREc in rural regions remain limited, particularly in areas like the Dabie Mountains in China. This knowledge gap is critical because regional variations in resistance mechanisms may differ substantially. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and resistance mechanisms of CREc in a tertiary hospital located in this under-researched region, providing crucial data for regional surveillance and informed public health interventions. Patients and methods Between 2018 and 2022, 33 CREc isolates were obtained from 33 patients at a tertiary hospital in the Dabie Mountains region of China. We performed a retrospective clinical analysis of the patients, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of all 33 CREc isolates. Additionally, phenotypic tests for carbapenemase and AmpC-type β-lactamase production were carried out. Results This study analyzed 33 CREc clinical isolates from a mountainous region hospital in China. The isolates predominantly originated from elderly patients (66.7% aged ≥ 60 years) with comorbidities (75.8%). Phenotypic analysis showed that 97.0% of isolates produced carbapenemases (n = 32), with the gene encoding New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (blaNDM) variants (n = 30) dominated by blaNDM-5 (n = 24) and a notable proportion of blaNDM-13 (n = 4). In addition to carbapenemase genes, the most prevalent resistance genes were those conferring resistance to sulfonamides (97.0%, 32/33) and aminoglycosides (93.9%, 31/33). Notably, 36.4% (n = 12) of isolates exhibited fosA3-mediated fosfomycin resistance, with universal co-carriag…
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2025) Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in a tertiary hospital located in the Dabie Mountains region, China. PeerJ 13:e20188 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20188
date submitted: 2025-03-07
date accepted: 2025-09-15
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Lu
author list: Agent
  family name: Gong
  given name: Wanxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Runan
author list: Agent
  family name: Jing
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yuanhong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20188
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: © 2025 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Food selection and feeding patterns in nectarivorous bats: Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Glossophaga soricina
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Sympatric species reduce competition for resources due to differences in one or more of their niche dimensions. Biotic interactions between pollinators and variations in the availability and quality of resources are important factors that determine food selection in bats. The nectarivorous species Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Glossophaga soricina coexist temporarily in much of their distribution and depend on nectar to feed. These species have similar requirements but differ in the way they obtain food. The coexistence of bat species with similar requirements, such as L. yerbabuenae and G. soricina, suggests that these species have strategies for avoiding competition and maximizing their nectar consumption. However, it is unclear how these bat species select resources and adjust their visits to the available floral resources. We therefore analyzed nectar selection and feeding patterns in these two bat species under captive conditions. We conducted experiments in which we controlled resource type and its availability by offering the bats different artificial nectar solutions, while we removed interspecific interactions. These solutions differed in concentration and sugar type, and some were similar to the nectar offered by chiropterophilic plant species. The bat species presented differences in food selection; G. soricina fed mainly on resources similar to Ipomoea and sucrose sugar. In contrast, L. yerbabuenae preferred those resources similar to the nectar of Acanthocereus cacti. In addition, the timing of feeding for each solution also differed. These results suggest low levels of competition between species under abundant resources and low density of individuals; however, such conditions are not always found in nature, and patterns may change with increased food scarcity and a high density of competitors.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Martín Hesajim de Santiago-Hernández
creator: Alejandro Salinas-Melgoza
creator: Alicia Chavez-Estrada
creator: Miguel Angel Salinas-Melgoza
creator: Mauricio Quesada
creator: Yvonne Herrerías-Diego
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20164
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 de Santiago-Hernández et al.
abstract: Sympatric species reduce competition for resources due to differences in one or more of their niche dimensions. Biotic interactions between pollinators and variations in the availability and quality of resources are important factors that determine food selection in bats. The nectarivorous species Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Glossophaga soricina coexist temporarily in much of their distribution and depend on nectar to feed. These species have similar requirements but differ in the way they obtain food. The coexistence of bat species with similar requirements, such as L. yerbabuenae and G. soricina, suggests that these species have strategies for avoiding competition and maximizing their nectar consumption. However, it is unclear how these bat species select resources and adjust their visits to the available floral resources. We therefore analyzed nectar selection and feeding patterns in these two bat species under captive conditions. We conducted experiments in which we controlled resource type and its availability by offering the bats different artificial nectar solutions, while we removed interspecific interactions. These solutions differed in concentration and sugar type, and some were similar to the nectar offered by chiropterophilic plant species. The bat species presented differences in food selection; G. soricina fed mainly on resources similar to Ipomoea and sucrose sugar. In contrast, L. yerbabuenae preferred those resources similar to the nectar of Acanthocereus cacti. In addition, the timing of feeding for each solution also differed. These results suggest low levels of competition between species under abundant resources and low density of individuals; however, such conditions are not always found in nature, and patterns may change with increased food scarcity and a high density of competitors.
bibliographic citation: de Santiago-Hernández et al. (2025) Food selection and feeding patterns in nectarivorous bats: Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Glossophaga soricina. PeerJ 13:e20164 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20164
date submitted: 2024-12-16
date accepted: 2025-09-11
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: de Santiago-Hernández
  given name: Martín Hesajim
author list: Agent
  family name: Salinas-Melgoza
  given name: Alejandro
author list: Agent
  family name: Chavez-Estrada
  given name: Alicia
author list: Agent
  family name: Salinas-Melgoza
  given name: Miguel Angel
author list: Agent
  family name: Quesada
  given name: Mauricio
author list: Agent
  family name: Herrerías-Diego
  given name: Yvonne
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20164
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: © 2025 de Santiago-Hernández et al.
attribution name: de Santiago-Hernández et al.

The expression of metastasis associated protein 2 in normal development and cancers: mechanism and clinical significance
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2), a master transcriptional regulator, through multiple target genes and interacting proteins, has been demonstrated to play a vital role in the regulation of proliferation, replication, apoptosis, autophagy, DNA damage repair, preimplantation, embryonic development and immune cell differentiation. Despite extensive research, the physiological role and pathogenic mechanisms of MTA2 remain poorly understood. Here, we mainly review in the current research the status of MTA2 and its implications in normal development and various tumor biology. Accumulating evidence suggests that MTA2 is frequently amplify in several types of cancers, closely associates with tumor cells migration and invasion, relates to the malignant characteristics and poor prognosis, which therefore has been considered as playing tumor oncogenic roles. Substantial evidence indicates that MTA2 functions by modulating downstream targets including cell growth, invasion as well as angiogenesis related genes. Confusingly, the proliferation effect of MTA2 remains elusive and even conflicting in the development of several solid tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the upstream regulation of MTA2 by transcription factors, microRNAs and lncRNAs in specific physiology and pathology conditions, which results in the abnormal MTA2 expression in various aspects of cancer. In this context, we summarize linked function of MTA2 directly to oncogenesis and might provide a significant avenue for the treatment of diseases. We hope that this review will help tumor molecular biologists further understand the molecular mechanism of MTA2 in normal development and cancer.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xujun Liu
creator: Yaping Jiang
creator: Yanfeng Hou
creator: Xiaoning Li
creator: Haixia Li
creator: Wenzhe Si
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Oncology
subject: Medical Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20107
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Liu et al.
abstract: Metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2), a master transcriptional regulator, through multiple target genes and interacting proteins, has been demonstrated to play a vital role in the regulation of proliferation, replication, apoptosis, autophagy, DNA damage repair, preimplantation, embryonic development and immune cell differentiation. Despite extensive research, the physiological role and pathogenic mechanisms of MTA2 remain poorly understood. Here, we mainly review in the current research the status of MTA2 and its implications in normal development and various tumor biology. Accumulating evidence suggests that MTA2 is frequently amplify in several types of cancers, closely associates with tumor cells migration and invasion, relates to the malignant characteristics and poor prognosis, which therefore has been considered as playing tumor oncogenic roles. Substantial evidence indicates that MTA2 functions by modulating downstream targets including cell growth, invasion as well as angiogenesis related genes. Confusingly, the proliferation effect of MTA2 remains elusive and even conflicting in the development of several solid tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the upstream regulation of MTA2 by transcription factors, microRNAs and lncRNAs in specific physiology and pathology conditions, which results in the abnormal MTA2 expression in various aspects of cancer. In this context, we summarize linked function of MTA2 directly to oncogenesis and might provide a significant avenue for the treatment of diseases. We hope that this review will help tumor molecular biologists further understand the molecular mechanism of MTA2 in normal development and cancer.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2025) The expression of metastasis associated protein 2 in normal development and cancers: mechanism and clinical significance. PeerJ 13:e20107 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20107
date submitted: 2025-02-11
date accepted: 2025-08-28
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Xujun
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Yaping
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Yanfeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xiaoning
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Haixia
author list: Agent
  family name: Si
  given name: Wenzhe
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20107
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: ©2025 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

Changes in mercury content in oysters in relation to sediment and seston content in the Colombian Caribbean lagoons
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Total mercury (Hg) was evaluated in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae, in sediments and seston from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) and Cispatá Bay (BhC) in two climatic seasons (rainy and dry). Composite samples of sediments, seston and oysters in juvenile and adult ages were collected at six stations (three in each ecosystem) and Hg was quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 7473 PLTX-017). BhC had the highest Hg concentrations in sediment, seston and oysters compared to CGSM, with values close to the tolerable threshold for the ecosystem and associated biota (TEL) of 0.13 µg/g. Although at CGSM Hg was below the TEL in sediment and was considered safe in the oyster, significant bioconcentration was evident with the metal content in the seston, indicating a potential risk to the ecosystem and humans. The variables organic matter and temperature influenced metal availability in the sediment and seston, respectively; in contrast, they had no significant relationship in the oyster. In CGSM, higher Hg concentration was recorded in adult ages, while in BhC the highest accumulation occurred in juveniles, especially during the dry season. These findings underscore the importance of continuous Hg monitoring in both ecosystems. When assessed using the adapted Nemerow Pollution Index based on the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of one µg Hg/kg body weight, although both sites presented a very high risk in terms of consumption, they are well below the most contaminated global hotspots over the past five decades. This study also highlights the relevance of oyster age in contamination assessments, as Hg accumulation patterns vary depending on environmental and climatic conditions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Anubis Vélez-Mendoza
creator: Jeimmy Paola Rico-Mora
creator: Néstor Hernando Campos-Campos
creator: Margui Lorena Almario-García
creator: Adolfo Sanjuan-Muñoz
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Toxicology
subject: Zoology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19868
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Vélez-Mendoza et al.
abstract: Total mercury (Hg) was evaluated in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae, in sediments and seston from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) and Cispatá Bay (BhC) in two climatic seasons (rainy and dry). Composite samples of sediments, seston and oysters in juvenile and adult ages were collected at six stations (three in each ecosystem) and Hg was quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 7473 PLTX-017). BhC had the highest Hg concentrations in sediment, seston and oysters compared to CGSM, with values close to the tolerable threshold for the ecosystem and associated biota (TEL) of 0.13 µg/g. Although at CGSM Hg was below the TEL in sediment and was considered safe in the oyster, significant bioconcentration was evident with the metal content in the seston, indicating a potential risk to the ecosystem and humans. The variables organic matter and temperature influenced metal availability in the sediment and seston, respectively; in contrast, they had no significant relationship in the oyster. In CGSM, higher Hg concentration was recorded in adult ages, while in BhC the highest accumulation occurred in juveniles, especially during the dry season. These findings underscore the importance of continuous Hg monitoring in both ecosystems. When assessed using the adapted Nemerow Pollution Index based on the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of one µg Hg/kg body weight, although both sites presented a very high risk in terms of consumption, they are well below the most contaminated global hotspots over the past five decades. This study also highlights the relevance of oyster age in contamination assessments, as Hg accumulation patterns vary depending on environmental and climatic conditions.
bibliographic citation: Vélez-Mendoza et al. (2025) Changes in mercury content in oysters in relation to sediment and seston content in the Colombian Caribbean lagoons. PeerJ 13:e19868 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19868
date submitted: 2025-01-22
date accepted: 2025-07-17
issued: 2025-10-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vélez-Mendoza
  given name: Anubis
author list: Agent
  family name: Rico-Mora
  given name: Jeimmy Paola
author list: Agent
  family name: Campos-Campos
  given name: Néstor Hernando
author list: Agent
  family name: Almario-García
  given name: Margui Lorena
author list: Agent
  family name: Sanjuan-Muñoz
  given name: Adolfo
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19868
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-24
copyright: ©2025 Vélez-Mendoza et al.
attribution name: Vélez-Mendoza et al.

The profound impact of COVID-19 on college students’ physical fitness
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background This study expands existing research by examining longitudinal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical college students’ physical fitness. Methods A medical college in Wenzhou, was selected to examine the changes in physical fitness indicators among students from 2019 to 2021. Results While most students maintained normal weight status (85.2%), overweight/obese prevalence increased significantly (8.0% in 2019, 8.9% in 2020, and 10.1% in 2021). Among male students, 67.0% were classified within the passing range, while the majority of female students (55.0%) fell within the “good” grade category. In 2021, a significant decline was observed in the standing long jump, 50-m dash, and 1,000/800 m run (p < 0.05) across both genders. Conclusions The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly contributed to increased weight gain among college students and a decline in their endurance running performance.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jianzhong Sun
creator: Bin Qiao
creator: Chan Lin
subject: Public Health
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20293
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Sun et al.
abstract: Background This study expands existing research by examining longitudinal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical college students’ physical fitness. Methods A medical college in Wenzhou, was selected to examine the changes in physical fitness indicators among students from 2019 to 2021. Results While most students maintained normal weight status (85.2%), overweight/obese prevalence increased significantly (8.0% in 2019, 8.9% in 2020, and 10.1% in 2021). Among male students, 67.0% were classified within the passing range, while the majority of female students (55.0%) fell within the “good” grade category. In 2021, a significant decline was observed in the standing long jump, 50-m dash, and 1,000/800 m run (p < 0.05) across both genders. Conclusions The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly contributed to increased weight gain among college students and a decline in their endurance running performance.
bibliographic citation: Sun et al. (2025) The profound impact of COVID-19 on college students’ physical fitness. PeerJ 13:e20293 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20293
date submitted: 2025-06-10
date accepted: 2025-10-03
issued: 2025-10-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Jianzhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiao
  given name: Bin
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Chan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20293
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-10-23
copyright: © 2025 Sun et al.
attribution name: Sun et al.

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