PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Comprehensive analysis of bioplastics: life cycle assessment, waste management, biodiversity impact, and sustainable mitigation strategies
items: Radical chemoradiotherapy for superficial esophageal cancer complicated with liver cirrhosis
items: Advancements in monitoring: a comparison of traditional and application-based tools for measuring outdoor recreation
items: Machine learning algorithm-based biomarker exploration and validation of mitochondria-related diagnostic genes in osteoarthritis
items: Psychometric characteristics of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ): Arabic version
items: Taxonomic relevance of leaf surface micromorphology in Korean Clematis L. (Ranunculaceae)
items: Serum PCSK9 is a novel serological biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer
items: Beyond labs: unveiling dynamics of dental students’ transition from pre-clinical to clinical training in a Saudi dental school
items: Escherichia coli alcohol dehydrogenase YahK is a protein that binds both iron and zinc
items: Relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy in acute lung injury: a mini-review

Comprehensive analysis of bioplastics: life cycle assessment, waste management, biodiversity impact, and sustainable mitigation strategies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Bioplastics are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional plastics, driven by the need for more sustainable options. This review article offers an in-depth analysis of the entire life cycle of bioplastics, from raw material cultivation to manufacturing and disposal, with a focus on environmental impacts at each stage. It emphasizes the significance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and selecting appropriate feedstock to improve environmental outcomes. The review highlights the detrimental effects of unsustainable farming methods, such as pesticide use and deforestation, which can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, the article advocates for the use of efficient extraction techniques and renewable energy sources, prioritizing environmental considerations throughout the production process. Furthermore, the methods for reducing energy consumption, water usage, and chemical inputs during manufacturing by implementing eco-friendly technologies. It stresses the importance of developing robust disposal systems for biodegradable materials and supports recycling initiatives to minimize the need for new resources. The holistic approach to sustainability, including responsible feedstock cultivation, efficient production practices, and effective end-of-life management. It underscores the need to evaluate the potential of bioplastics to reduce plastic pollution, considering technological advancements, infrastructure development, and increased consumer awareness. Future research should focus on enhancing production sustainability, understanding long-term ecological impacts, and advancing bioplastics technology for better performance and environmental compatibility. This comprehensive analysis of bioplastics’ ecological footprint highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions in plastic production.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kushi Yadav
creator: Ganesh Chandrakant Nikalje
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18013
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Yadav and Nikalje
abstract: Bioplastics are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional plastics, driven by the need for more sustainable options. This review article offers an in-depth analysis of the entire life cycle of bioplastics, from raw material cultivation to manufacturing and disposal, with a focus on environmental impacts at each stage. It emphasizes the significance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and selecting appropriate feedstock to improve environmental outcomes. The review highlights the detrimental effects of unsustainable farming methods, such as pesticide use and deforestation, which can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, the article advocates for the use of efficient extraction techniques and renewable energy sources, prioritizing environmental considerations throughout the production process. Furthermore, the methods for reducing energy consumption, water usage, and chemical inputs during manufacturing by implementing eco-friendly technologies. It stresses the importance of developing robust disposal systems for biodegradable materials and supports recycling initiatives to minimize the need for new resources. The holistic approach to sustainability, including responsible feedstock cultivation, efficient production practices, and effective end-of-life management. It underscores the need to evaluate the potential of bioplastics to reduce plastic pollution, considering technological advancements, infrastructure development, and increased consumer awareness. Future research should focus on enhancing production sustainability, understanding long-term ecological impacts, and advancing bioplastics technology for better performance and environmental compatibility. This comprehensive analysis of bioplastics’ ecological footprint highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions in plastic production.
bibliographic citation: Yadav et al. (2024) Comprehensive analysis of bioplastics: life cycle assessment, waste management, biodiversity impact, and sustainable mitigation strategies. PeerJ 12:e18013 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18013
date submitted: 2023-12-29
date accepted: 2024-08-09
issued: 2024-09-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yadav
  given name: Kushi
author list: Agent
  family name: Nikalje
  given name: Ganesh Chandrakant
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18013
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-11
copyright: © 2024 Yadav and Nikalje
attribution name: Yadav and Nikalje

Radical chemoradiotherapy for superficial esophageal cancer complicated with liver cirrhosis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Although chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment for esophageal cancer, its feasibility in esophageal cancer with cirrhosis remains largely unclear. Methods We retrospectively studied 11 patients with superficial esophageal cancer with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score ≤8) who underwent radical chemoradiotherapy from four centers, and the overall survival rate, local control rate and adverse events at 1 and 3 years were explored. Results The median age of the included patients was 67 years (Inter-Quartile Range 60–75 years). Complete response was observed in most patients (n = 10, 90.9%), and the remaining patient was unevaluable. The 1- and 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 90.9% and 90.9%, and 72.7% and 63.6%, respectively. Hematotoxicity was a common adverse reaction, and seven patients developed radiation esophagitis, with grade 3–4 observed in two cases. All cases of radiation dermatitis (n = 4) and radiation pneumonia (n = 2) were grade 1–2. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in two patients, including one with grade 1–2 bleeding, and one died. Conclusion Radical chemoradiotherapy is a potential treatment option for patients with superficial esophageal cancer complicated with cirrhosis. However, it can increase the risk of bleeding, which warrants prompt recognition and intervention.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hejing Bao
creator: Hehong Bao
creator: Liping Lin
creator: Yuhuan Wang
creator: Longbin Zhang
creator: Li Zhang
creator: Han Zhang
creator: Lingxiang Liu
creator: Xiaolong Cao
subject: Oncology
subject: Radiology and Medical Imaging
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18065
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Bao et al.
abstract: Background Although chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment for esophageal cancer, its feasibility in esophageal cancer with cirrhosis remains largely unclear. Methods We retrospectively studied 11 patients with superficial esophageal cancer with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score ≤8) who underwent radical chemoradiotherapy from four centers, and the overall survival rate, local control rate and adverse events at 1 and 3 years were explored. Results The median age of the included patients was 67 years (Inter-Quartile Range 60–75 years). Complete response was observed in most patients (n = 10, 90.9%), and the remaining patient was unevaluable. The 1- and 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 90.9% and 90.9%, and 72.7% and 63.6%, respectively. Hematotoxicity was a common adverse reaction, and seven patients developed radiation esophagitis, with grade 3–4 observed in two cases. All cases of radiation dermatitis (n = 4) and radiation pneumonia (n = 2) were grade 1–2. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in two patients, including one with grade 1–2 bleeding, and one died. Conclusion Radical chemoradiotherapy is a potential treatment option for patients with superficial esophageal cancer complicated with cirrhosis. However, it can increase the risk of bleeding, which warrants prompt recognition and intervention.
bibliographic citation: Bao et al. (2024) Radical chemoradiotherapy for superficial esophageal cancer complicated with liver cirrhosis. PeerJ 12:e18065 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18065
date submitted: 2024-04-17
date accepted: 2024-08-19
issued: 2024-09-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Bao
  given name: Hejing
author list: Agent
  family name: Bao
  given name: Hehong
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Liping
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yuhuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Longbin
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Han
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Lingxiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Cao
  given name: Xiaolong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18065
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-11
copyright: © 2024 Bao et al.
attribution name: Bao et al.

Advancements in monitoring: a comparison of traditional and application-based tools for measuring outdoor recreation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Outdoor recreation has experienced a boom in recent years and continues to grow. While outdoor recreation provides wide-ranging benefits to human well-being, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of recreation with the increased pressures placed on ecological systems and visitor experiences. These concerns emphasize the need for managers to access accurate and timely recreation data at scales that match the growing extent of the recreation footprint. Here, we compare spatial and temporal patterns of winter and summer recreation using traditional (trail cameras, infrared counters, aerial surveys, participatory mapping) and application-based tools (Strava Metro, Strava Global Heatmap, Wikiloc) across the Columbia and Canadian Rocky Mountains of western Canada. We demonstrate how recreation use can be estimated using traditional and application-based tools, although their accuracy and utility varies across space, season and activity type. We found that trail cameras and infrared counters captured similar broad-scale patterns in count estimates of pedestrians and all recreation activities. Aerial surveys captured areas with low recreation intensity and participatory mapping captured coarser information on the intensity and extent of recreation across large spatial and temporal scales. Application-based data provided detailed spatiotemporal information on recreation use, but datasets were biased towards specific activities. Strava Metro data was more suited for capturing broad-scale spatial patterns in biking than pedestrian recreation. Application-based data should be supplemented with data from traditional tools to identify biases in data and fill in data gaps. We provide a comparison of each tool for measuring recreation use, highlight each tools’ strengths and limitations and applications to address real-world monitoring and management scenarios. Our research contributes towards a better understanding of which tool, or combinations of tools, to use that…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Talia Vilalta Capdevila
creator: Brynn A. McLellan
creator: Annie Loosen
creator: Anne Forshner
creator: Karine Pigeon
creator: Aerin L. Jacob
creator: Pamela Wright
creator: Libby Ehlers
subject: Coupled Natural and Human Systems
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17744
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Vilalta Capdevila et al.
abstract: Outdoor recreation has experienced a boom in recent years and continues to grow. While outdoor recreation provides wide-ranging benefits to human well-being, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of recreation with the increased pressures placed on ecological systems and visitor experiences. These concerns emphasize the need for managers to access accurate and timely recreation data at scales that match the growing extent of the recreation footprint. Here, we compare spatial and temporal patterns of winter and summer recreation using traditional (trail cameras, infrared counters, aerial surveys, participatory mapping) and application-based tools (Strava Metro, Strava Global Heatmap, Wikiloc) across the Columbia and Canadian Rocky Mountains of western Canada. We demonstrate how recreation use can be estimated using traditional and application-based tools, although their accuracy and utility varies across space, season and activity type. We found that trail cameras and infrared counters captured similar broad-scale patterns in count estimates of pedestrians and all recreation activities. Aerial surveys captured areas with low recreation intensity and participatory mapping captured coarser information on the intensity and extent of recreation across large spatial and temporal scales. Application-based data provided detailed spatiotemporal information on recreation use, but datasets were biased towards specific activities. Strava Metro data was more suited for capturing broad-scale spatial patterns in biking than pedestrian recreation. Application-based data should be supplemented with data from traditional tools to identify biases in data and fill in data gaps. We provide a comparison of each tool for measuring recreation use, highlight each tools’ strengths and limitations and applications to address real-world monitoring and management scenarios. Our research contributes towards a better understanding of which tool, or combinations of tools, to use that…
bibliographic citation: Vilalta Capdevila et al. (2024) Advancements in monitoring: a comparison of traditional and application-based tools for measuring outdoor recreation. PeerJ 12:e17744 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17744
date submitted: 2024-03-14
date accepted: 2024-06-24
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vilalta Capdevila
  given name: Talia
author list: Agent
  family name: McLellan
  given name: Brynn A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Loosen
  given name: Annie
author list: Agent
  family name: Forshner
  given name: Anne
author list: Agent
  family name: Pigeon
  given name: Karine
author list: Agent
  family name: Jacob
  given name: Aerin L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wright
  given name: Pamela
author list: Agent
  family name: Ehlers
  given name: Libby
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17744
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: ©2024 Vilalta Capdevila et al.
attribution name: Vilalta Capdevila et al.

Machine learning algorithm-based biomarker exploration and validation of mitochondria-related diagnostic genes in osteoarthritis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is significant. In this study, we aimed to identify diagnostic signature genes associated with OA from a set of mitochondria-related genes (MRGs). First, the gene expression profiles of OA cartilage GSE114007 and GSE57218 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. And the limma method was used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Second, the biological functions of the DEGs in OA were investigated using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Wayne plots were employed to visualize the differentially expressed mitochondrial genes (MDEGs) in OA. Subsequently, the LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms were employed to elucidate potential OA signature genes within the set of MDEGs. As a result, GRPEL and MTFP1 were identified as signature genes. Notably, GRPEL1 exhibited low expression levels in OA samples from both experimental and test group datasets, demonstrating high diagnostic efficacy. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the reduced expression of Grpel1 in an in vitro OA model. Lastly, ssGSEA analysis revealed alterations in the infiltration abundance of several immune cells in OA cartilage tissue, which exhibited correlation with GRPEL1 expression. Altogether, this study has revealed that GRPEL1 functions as a novel and significant diagnostic indicator for OA by employing two machine learning methodologies. Furthermore, these findings provide fresh perspectives on potential targeted therapeutic interventions in the future.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hongbo Wang
creator: Zongye Zhang
creator: Xingbo Cheng
creator: Zhenxing Hou
creator: Yubo Wang
creator: Zhendong Liu
creator: Yanzheng Gao
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Genomics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Rheumatology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17963
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Wang et al.
abstract: The role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is significant. In this study, we aimed to identify diagnostic signature genes associated with OA from a set of mitochondria-related genes (MRGs). First, the gene expression profiles of OA cartilage GSE114007 and GSE57218 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. And the limma method was used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Second, the biological functions of the DEGs in OA were investigated using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Wayne plots were employed to visualize the differentially expressed mitochondrial genes (MDEGs) in OA. Subsequently, the LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms were employed to elucidate potential OA signature genes within the set of MDEGs. As a result, GRPEL and MTFP1 were identified as signature genes. Notably, GRPEL1 exhibited low expression levels in OA samples from both experimental and test group datasets, demonstrating high diagnostic efficacy. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the reduced expression of Grpel1 in an in vitro OA model. Lastly, ssGSEA analysis revealed alterations in the infiltration abundance of several immune cells in OA cartilage tissue, which exhibited correlation with GRPEL1 expression. Altogether, this study has revealed that GRPEL1 functions as a novel and significant diagnostic indicator for OA by employing two machine learning methodologies. Furthermore, these findings provide fresh perspectives on potential targeted therapeutic interventions in the future.
bibliographic citation: Wang et al. (2024) Machine learning algorithm-based biomarker exploration and validation of mitochondria-related diagnostic genes in osteoarthritis. PeerJ 12:e17963 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17963
date submitted: 2023-09-19
date accepted: 2024-08-01
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Hongbo
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Zongye
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Xingbo
author list: Agent
  family name: Hou
  given name: Zhenxing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yubo
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Zhendong
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Yanzheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17963
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: ©2024 Wang et al.
attribution name: Wang et al.

Psychometric characteristics of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ): Arabic version
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Narcissists are characterized by confidence, fragility, a desire for social approval without showing interest in others, charm, self-assurance, arrogance, and aggression. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) among Algerian students (N = 714). Confirmatory factor and Rasch analyses were used. The NARQ consists of 18 items addressing six narcissism subscales under two main dimensions: rivalry and admiration. The results showed good saturation of the items on the six subscales and the three sub-scales on each of the two main dimensions, revealing a modest but positive correlation between rivalry and admiration. Moreover, the results of the Rasch model demonstrated that the scale aligns with the data, confirming the validity of the scale. This study offers valuable perspectives on assessing narcissism among Arabic populations and enhances our comprehension of the traits linked to narcissistic personalities.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Aiche Sabah
creator: Musheer A. Aljaberi
creator: Salima Hamouda
creator: Djamila Benamour
creator: Keltoum Gadja
creator: Yu-Chen Lai
creator: Chuan-Yin Fang
creator: Amira Mohammed Ali
creator: Chung-Ying Lin
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17982
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Sabah et al.
abstract: Narcissists are characterized by confidence, fragility, a desire for social approval without showing interest in others, charm, self-assurance, arrogance, and aggression. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) among Algerian students (N = 714). Confirmatory factor and Rasch analyses were used. The NARQ consists of 18 items addressing six narcissism subscales under two main dimensions: rivalry and admiration. The results showed good saturation of the items on the six subscales and the three sub-scales on each of the two main dimensions, revealing a modest but positive correlation between rivalry and admiration. Moreover, the results of the Rasch model demonstrated that the scale aligns with the data, confirming the validity of the scale. This study offers valuable perspectives on assessing narcissism among Arabic populations and enhances our comprehension of the traits linked to narcissistic personalities.
bibliographic citation: Sabah et al. (2024) Psychometric characteristics of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ): Arabic version. PeerJ 12:e17982 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17982
date submitted: 2024-02-16
date accepted: 2024-08-06
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sabah
  given name: Aiche
author list: Agent
  family name: Aljaberi
  given name: Musheer A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hamouda
  given name: Salima
author list: Agent
  family name: Benamour
  given name: Djamila
author list: Agent
  family name: Gadja
  given name: Keltoum
author list: Agent
  family name: Lai
  given name: Yu-Chen
author list: Agent
  family name: Fang
  given name: Chuan-Yin
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Amira Mohammed
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Chung-Ying
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17982
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: ©2024 Sabah et al.
attribution name: Sabah et al.

Taxonomic relevance of leaf surface micromorphology in Korean Clematis L. (Ranunculaceae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Clematis, one of the largest genera of the family Ranunculaceae, has a wide array of morphological variation and is considered the most difficult group of taxa in terms of infrageneric discrimination. This study assessed the leaf micromorphological features of 19 Clematis taxa (16 species and three varieties) found in Korea. The leaf surface features were studied under scanning electron microscopy, and the stomatal counting and measurement were carried out under light microscopy. Clematis are hypostomatic, meaning the stomata are only found on the abaxial surface of the leaf. Observed taxa showed near uniformity in the epidermal cell type, structure, and morphology on both surfaces of the leaf. Differences were observed in the presence and absence and/or abundance of trichomes on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, the epidermal cell boundary, and the periclinal and anticlinal wall of the cells. Differences were also observed in the number of the epidermal cells connected with the stomata on the abaxial surface, with small differences noted in epidermal cell shapes. The ANOVA showed a significant variation in the stomata density in the studied taxa (P < 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on 13 leaf micromorphological features generated four major clusters. These results indicated similarities in certain key leaf micromorphological features among taxa from the Tubulosae, Clematis, and Virona sections. In the genus Clematis, as with other morphological characteristics, using leaf micromorphological characters alone, which possess limited taxonomic value, proves inadequate for resolving infrageneric relationships. However, incorporating certain features with other morphological characteristics offers a possible alternative means of determining the infrageneric relationships within the genus.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Balkrishna Ghimire
creator: Beom Kyun Park
creator: Dong Chan Son
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Plant Science
subject: Taxonomy
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17997
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Ghimire et al.
abstract: Clematis, one of the largest genera of the family Ranunculaceae, has a wide array of morphological variation and is considered the most difficult group of taxa in terms of infrageneric discrimination. This study assessed the leaf micromorphological features of 19 Clematis taxa (16 species and three varieties) found in Korea. The leaf surface features were studied under scanning electron microscopy, and the stomatal counting and measurement were carried out under light microscopy. Clematis are hypostomatic, meaning the stomata are only found on the abaxial surface of the leaf. Observed taxa showed near uniformity in the epidermal cell type, structure, and morphology on both surfaces of the leaf. Differences were observed in the presence and absence and/or abundance of trichomes on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, the epidermal cell boundary, and the periclinal and anticlinal wall of the cells. Differences were also observed in the number of the epidermal cells connected with the stomata on the abaxial surface, with small differences noted in epidermal cell shapes. The ANOVA showed a significant variation in the stomata density in the studied taxa (P < 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on 13 leaf micromorphological features generated four major clusters. These results indicated similarities in certain key leaf micromorphological features among taxa from the Tubulosae, Clematis, and Virona sections. In the genus Clematis, as with other morphological characteristics, using leaf micromorphological characters alone, which possess limited taxonomic value, proves inadequate for resolving infrageneric relationships. However, incorporating certain features with other morphological characteristics offers a possible alternative means of determining the infrageneric relationships within the genus.
bibliographic citation: Ghimire et al. (2024) Taxonomic relevance of leaf surface micromorphology in Korean Clematis L. (Ranunculaceae). PeerJ 12:e17997 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17997
date submitted: 2024-03-14
date accepted: 2024-08-07
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Ghimire
  given name: Balkrishna
author list: Agent
  family name: Park
  given name: Beom Kyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Son
  given name: Dong Chan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17997
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: © 2024 Ghimire et al.
attribution name: Ghimire et al.

Serum PCSK9 is a novel serological biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Although CA19-9 is an essential blood biomarker of pancreatic cancer (PC), its sensitivity and specificity are limited for early detection. Methods We analyzed the serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (sPCSK9) in PC patients, benign disease groups (BDG), and healthy controls (HC) by ELISA. Results Consistently, sPCSK9 was considerably lower in PC patients than in HC (Z = −2.546, P < 0.05), and sPCSK9 in PC patients was statistically significantly higher than in BDG (Z = −5.457, P < 0.001). sPCSK9 was linked to the invasion of lymph nodes (χ2 = 6.846, P < 0.01). According to ROC curves, combining sPCSK9 with CA19-9 could potentially enhance the diagnostic capability of CA19-9 in early-stage PC patients. Furthermore, the low sPCSK9 group (n = 41) exhibited statistically significantly prolonged overall survival compared to the high sPCSK9 group (n = 15), with median survival times of 27 months (95% CI [17.59–36.41]) and 11 months (95% CI [7.21–14.79]), respectively (P = 0.022). Conclusion The diagnostic performance of CA19-9 for early-stage PC patients could be improved by combining sPCSK9 with CA19-9. Moreover, the higher sPCSK9 group has a significantly shorter overall survival rate.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ying Xu
creator: Yongfeng Xu
creator: Yang Yang
creator: Zhiwei Zhang
creator: Qunli Xiong
creator: Qing Zhu
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18018
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Xu et al.
abstract: Background Although CA19-9 is an essential blood biomarker of pancreatic cancer (PC), its sensitivity and specificity are limited for early detection. Methods We analyzed the serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (sPCSK9) in PC patients, benign disease groups (BDG), and healthy controls (HC) by ELISA. Results Consistently, sPCSK9 was considerably lower in PC patients than in HC (Z = −2.546, P < 0.05), and sPCSK9 in PC patients was statistically significantly higher than in BDG (Z = −5.457, P < 0.001). sPCSK9 was linked to the invasion of lymph nodes (χ2 = 6.846, P < 0.01). According to ROC curves, combining sPCSK9 with CA19-9 could potentially enhance the diagnostic capability of CA19-9 in early-stage PC patients. Furthermore, the low sPCSK9 group (n = 41) exhibited statistically significantly prolonged overall survival compared to the high sPCSK9 group (n = 15), with median survival times of 27 months (95% CI [17.59–36.41]) and 11 months (95% CI [7.21–14.79]), respectively (P = 0.022). Conclusion The diagnostic performance of CA19-9 for early-stage PC patients could be improved by combining sPCSK9 with CA19-9. Moreover, the higher sPCSK9 group has a significantly shorter overall survival rate.
bibliographic citation: Xu et al. (2024) Serum PCSK9 is a novel serological biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer. PeerJ 12:e18018 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18018
date submitted: 2024-05-02
date accepted: 2024-08-09
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Ying
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yongfeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Zhiwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiong
  given name: Qunli
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Qing
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18018
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: © 2024 Xu et al.
attribution name: Xu et al.

Beyond labs: unveiling dynamics of dental students’ transition from pre-clinical to clinical training in a Saudi dental school
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective To assess the factors affecting the transition of dental students from pre-clinical to clinical courses in an outcome-based curriculum. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed dental students in the third and fourth academic years of the Bachelor of Dental and Oral Surgery (BDS) program at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University. Ethically approved and powered by the G Power software, the study employed a modified questionnaire validated through a pilot test to assess five domains. Likert scale responses were analyzed using SPSS v.25, revealing insights into clinical workload, patient interaction, and learning experiences. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the impact of clinical skill application, workload, transition to clinics, and patient interaction on learning experience as well as CGPA. The Mann-Whitney U test compared the ranks of two independent samples, making it less sensitive to outliers and more suitable for data with non-normal distributions. Results In this study, the response rate of the participants was 70%. A total of 44 dental students in their third and fourth years of the program completed the survey. The multiple regression analysis showed that the predictors collectively explained 36.1% of the variance in the learning experience (Adjusted R2 = 0.361). “Transition to Clinics” had a significant positive effect on learning experience (β = 0.292, p = 0.012), “Workload” (β = −0.203, p = 0.393) and “Patient Interaction” (β = 0.443, p = 0.168) were not significant predictors. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant gender differences in transition to clinics, workload, patient interaction, application of clinical skills, and learning experience (U = 33.09 to −40.33, p > 0.05), but a significant difference in transition to clinics between third- and fourth-year students (U = 31.56 to −43.24, p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that the transition to clinical training can be intricate, and th…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Osama Khattak
creator: Kiran Kumar Ganji
creator: Azhar Iqbal
creator: Mosa Altassan
creator: Farida Habib Khan
creator: Rabia Anis
subject: Dentistry
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18019
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Khattak et al.
abstract: Objective To assess the factors affecting the transition of dental students from pre-clinical to clinical courses in an outcome-based curriculum. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed dental students in the third and fourth academic years of the Bachelor of Dental and Oral Surgery (BDS) program at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University. Ethically approved and powered by the G Power software, the study employed a modified questionnaire validated through a pilot test to assess five domains. Likert scale responses were analyzed using SPSS v.25, revealing insights into clinical workload, patient interaction, and learning experiences. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the impact of clinical skill application, workload, transition to clinics, and patient interaction on learning experience as well as CGPA. The Mann-Whitney U test compared the ranks of two independent samples, making it less sensitive to outliers and more suitable for data with non-normal distributions. Results In this study, the response rate of the participants was 70%. A total of 44 dental students in their third and fourth years of the program completed the survey. The multiple regression analysis showed that the predictors collectively explained 36.1% of the variance in the learning experience (Adjusted R2 = 0.361). “Transition to Clinics” had a significant positive effect on learning experience (β = 0.292, p = 0.012), “Workload” (β = −0.203, p = 0.393) and “Patient Interaction” (β = 0.443, p = 0.168) were not significant predictors. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant gender differences in transition to clinics, workload, patient interaction, application of clinical skills, and learning experience (U = 33.09 to −40.33, p > 0.05), but a significant difference in transition to clinics between third- and fourth-year students (U = 31.56 to −43.24, p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that the transition to clinical training can be intricate, and th…
bibliographic citation: Khattak et al. (2024) Beyond labs: unveiling dynamics of dental students’ transition from pre-clinical to clinical training in a Saudi dental school. PeerJ 12:e18019 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18019
date submitted: 2023-12-29
date accepted: 2024-08-09
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Khattak
  given name: Osama
author list: Agent
  family name: Ganji
  given name: Kiran Kumar
author list: Agent
  family name: Iqbal
  given name: Azhar
author list: Agent
  family name: Altassan
  given name: Mosa
author list: Agent
  family name: Khan
  given name: Farida Habib
author list: Agent
  family name: Anis
  given name: Rabia
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18019
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: © 2024 Khattak et al.
attribution name: Khattak et al.

Escherichia coli alcohol dehydrogenase YahK is a protein that binds both iron and zinc
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Previous studies have highlighted the catalytic activity of Escherichia coli alcohol dehydrogenase YahK in the presence of coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and metal zinc. Notably, competitive interaction between iron and zinc ligands has been shown to influence the catalytic efficiency of several key proteases. This study aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying YahK’s catalytic action, with a particular focus on the pivotal roles played by metal ions zinc and iron. Methods The purified YahK protein from E. coli cells cultivated in LB medium was utilized to investigate its metal-binding properties through UV-visible absorption measurements and determination of metal content. Subsequently, the effects of excess zinc and iron on the metal-binding ability and alcohol dehydrogenase activity of the YahK protein were explored using M9 minimal medium. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis technology was employed to determine the iron-binding site location within the YahK protein. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was conducted to examine the relationship between iron and zinc with respect to the YahK protein. Results The study confirmed the presence of iron and zinc in the YahK protein, with the zinc-bound form exhibiting enhanced catalytic activity in alcohol dehydrogenation reactions. Conversely, the presence of iron appears to play a pivotal role in maintaining overall stability of the YahK protein. Furthermore, experimental findings indicate that excessive zinc within M9 minimal medium can competitively bind to iron-binding sites on YahK, thereby augmenting its alcohol dehydrogenase activity. Conclusion The dynamic binding of YahK to iron and zinc unveils its intricate regulatory mechanism as an alcohol dehydrogenase, thereby highlighting the possible physiological role of YahK in E. coli and its significance in governing cellular metabolic processes. This discovery provides a novel perspective for further investigating the spec…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Feng Liang
creator: Shujuan Sun
creator: YongGuang Zhou
creator: Tiantian Peng
creator: Xianxian Xu
creator: Beibei Li
creator: Guoqiang Tan
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18040
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Liang et al.
abstract: Background Previous studies have highlighted the catalytic activity of Escherichia coli alcohol dehydrogenase YahK in the presence of coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and metal zinc. Notably, competitive interaction between iron and zinc ligands has been shown to influence the catalytic efficiency of several key proteases. This study aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying YahK’s catalytic action, with a particular focus on the pivotal roles played by metal ions zinc and iron. Methods The purified YahK protein from E. coli cells cultivated in LB medium was utilized to investigate its metal-binding properties through UV-visible absorption measurements and determination of metal content. Subsequently, the effects of excess zinc and iron on the metal-binding ability and alcohol dehydrogenase activity of the YahK protein were explored using M9 minimal medium. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis technology was employed to determine the iron-binding site location within the YahK protein. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was conducted to examine the relationship between iron and zinc with respect to the YahK protein. Results The study confirmed the presence of iron and zinc in the YahK protein, with the zinc-bound form exhibiting enhanced catalytic activity in alcohol dehydrogenation reactions. Conversely, the presence of iron appears to play a pivotal role in maintaining overall stability of the YahK protein. Furthermore, experimental findings indicate that excessive zinc within M9 minimal medium can competitively bind to iron-binding sites on YahK, thereby augmenting its alcohol dehydrogenase activity. Conclusion The dynamic binding of YahK to iron and zinc unveils its intricate regulatory mechanism as an alcohol dehydrogenase, thereby highlighting the possible physiological role of YahK in E. coli and its significance in governing cellular metabolic processes. This discovery provides a novel perspective for further investigating the spec…
bibliographic citation: Liang et al. (2024) Escherichia coli alcohol dehydrogenase YahK is a protein that binds both iron and zinc. PeerJ 12:e18040 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18040
date submitted: 2023-12-16
date accepted: 2024-08-13
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Feng
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Shujuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: YongGuang
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Tiantian
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Xianxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Beibei
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Guoqiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18040
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: © 2024 Liang et al.
attribution name: Liang et al.

Relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy in acute lung injury: a mini-review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most deadly and prevalent diseases in the intensive care unit. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are pathological mechanisms of ALI. Ferroptosis aggravates ALI, whereas mitophagy regulates ALI. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are both closely related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitophagy can regulate ferroptosis, but the specific relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy is still unclear. This study summarizes previous research findings on ferroptosis and mitophagy, revealing their involvement in ALI. Examining the functions of mTOR and NLPR3 helps clarify the connection between ferroptosis and mitophagy in ALI, with the goal of establishing a theoretical foundation for potential therapeutic approaches in the future management of ALI.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yunhua Cheng
creator: Liling Zhu
creator: Shuangxiong Xie
creator: Binyuan Lu
creator: Xiaoyu Du
creator: Guanjiang Ding
creator: Yan Wang
creator: Linchong Ma
creator: Qingxin Li
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Surgery and Surgical Specialties
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.18062
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Cheng et al.
abstract: Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most deadly and prevalent diseases in the intensive care unit. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are pathological mechanisms of ALI. Ferroptosis aggravates ALI, whereas mitophagy regulates ALI. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are both closely related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitophagy can regulate ferroptosis, but the specific relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy is still unclear. This study summarizes previous research findings on ferroptosis and mitophagy, revealing their involvement in ALI. Examining the functions of mTOR and NLPR3 helps clarify the connection between ferroptosis and mitophagy in ALI, with the goal of establishing a theoretical foundation for potential therapeutic approaches in the future management of ALI.
bibliographic citation: Cheng et al. (2024) Relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy in acute lung injury: a mini-review. PeerJ 12:e18062 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18062
date submitted: 2024-03-12
date accepted: 2024-08-19
issued: 2024-09-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Yunhua
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Liling
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Shuangxiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Binyuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Du
  given name: Xiaoyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Ding
  given name: Guanjiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Linchong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Qingxin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18062
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-09-10
copyright: © 2024 Cheng et al.
attribution name: Cheng et al.

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