PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Taxon-dependent diversity response along a temperate elevation gradient covered by grassland
items: Interlimb and trunk asymmetry in the frontal plane of table tennis female players
items: Decrease in the usual walking speed and body fat percentage associated with a deterioration in long-term care insurance certification levels
items: Construction of a nomogram for predicting catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients with end-stage renal disease after renal transplantation: a retrospective study
items: The relationship between low energy availability, injuries, and bone health in recreational female athletes
items: Efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
items: Retrospective study of a novel hematological parameter for predicting the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
items: https://peerj.com/articles/17224
items: Gypenosides exert cardioprotective effects by promoting mitophagy and activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Mcl-1 signaling
items: Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome reveal the genetic structure of the native Polish Konik horse population

Taxon-dependent diversity response along a temperate elevation gradient covered by grassland
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Elevational gradients constitute excellent systems for understanding the mechanisms that generate and maintain global biodiversity patterns. Climatic gradients associated with elevation show strong influence on species distribution in mountains. The study of mountains covered by the same habitat type is an ideal scenario to compare alternatives to the energy hypotheses. Our aim was to investigate how changes in climatic conditions along the elevational gradient drive α- and β-diversity of four taxa in a mountain system located within a grassland biome. We sampled ants, spiders, birds and plants, and measured climatic variables at six elevational bands (with 10 sampling sites each) established between 470 and 1,000 masl on a mountain from the Ventania Mountain System, Argentina. Species richness per site and β-diversity (turnover and nestedness) between the lowest band and upper sites were estimated. For most taxa, species richness declined at high elevations and energy, through temperature, was the major driver of species richness for ants, plants and birds, prevailing over productivity and water availability. The major β-diversity component was turnover for plants, spiders and birds, and nestedness for ants. The unique environmental conditions of the upper bands could favour the occurrence of specialist and endemic species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Santiago Santoandré
creator: Carolina Samanta Ramos
creator: Pablo Picca
creator: Julieta Filloy
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17375
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Santoandré et al.
abstract: Elevational gradients constitute excellent systems for understanding the mechanisms that generate and maintain global biodiversity patterns. Climatic gradients associated with elevation show strong influence on species distribution in mountains. The study of mountains covered by the same habitat type is an ideal scenario to compare alternatives to the energy hypotheses. Our aim was to investigate how changes in climatic conditions along the elevational gradient drive α- and β-diversity of four taxa in a mountain system located within a grassland biome. We sampled ants, spiders, birds and plants, and measured climatic variables at six elevational bands (with 10 sampling sites each) established between 470 and 1,000 masl on a mountain from the Ventania Mountain System, Argentina. Species richness per site and β-diversity (turnover and nestedness) between the lowest band and upper sites were estimated. For most taxa, species richness declined at high elevations and energy, through temperature, was the major driver of species richness for ants, plants and birds, prevailing over productivity and water availability. The major β-diversity component was turnover for plants, spiders and birds, and nestedness for ants. The unique environmental conditions of the upper bands could favour the occurrence of specialist and endemic species.
bibliographic citation: Santoandré et al. (2024) Taxon-dependent diversity response along a temperate elevation gradient covered by grassland. PeerJ 12:e17375 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17375
date submitted: 2023-08-16
date accepted: 2024-04-19
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Santoandré
  given name: Santiago
author list: Agent
  family name: Ramos
  given name: Carolina Samanta
author list: Agent
  family name: Picca
  given name: Pablo
author list: Agent
  family name: Filloy
  given name: Julieta
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17375
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: ©2024 Santoandré et al.
attribution name: Santoandré et al.

Interlimb and trunk asymmetry in the frontal plane of table tennis female players
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background An interesting and little-reported problem in the literature is the scale of asymmetry in table tennis players, the magnitude of which should perhaps be treated as a risk for injury. Determining the degree of asymmetry in table tennis players can indicate the need to appropriately manage the training process, including compensatory or corrective exercises in the training program, especially since recent studies confirm that training interventions can reduce sporting asymmetries and improve performance. This study aimed to assess the amount of asymmetry in the trunk regarding the frontal plane and the difference between limb circumferences in female table tennis players compared to the control group (non-athletes). Methods Twenty-two women took part in the study. Ten of them were table tennis professionals with an average training experience of 7 ± 4.3 years (the exclusion criterion of the study was a minimum of 3 years of training experience). As a comparison group, the study included 12 female students who did not participate in competitive sports. Body posture was assessed in all subjects using equipment for computer analysis of asymmetry in the torso using the photogrammetric method. Additionally, all the subjects had their upper and lower limb circumferences measured. Results The results of the conducted research showed asymmetry in the frontal plane in the table tennis player group. As many as six parameters—regarding the pelvic rotation angle, angle of trunk inclination, the height of the angles of the lower shoulder blades and their distance from the spine, as well as the waist triangles, difference in the width and height of the waist triangles and the angle of trunk inclination—indicated asymmetry in this group but significantly differed from the control group (p ≤ 0.05) only in the first parameter given above. The calculated differences in circumference between the right and left sides in the individual groups were statistically different in sev…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ziemowit Bańkosz
creator: Arletta Hawrylak
creator: Małgorzata Kołodziej
creator: Lenka Murinova
creator: Katarzyna Barczyk-Pawelec
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Injury
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17526
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Bańkosz et al.
abstract: Background An interesting and little-reported problem in the literature is the scale of asymmetry in table tennis players, the magnitude of which should perhaps be treated as a risk for injury. Determining the degree of asymmetry in table tennis players can indicate the need to appropriately manage the training process, including compensatory or corrective exercises in the training program, especially since recent studies confirm that training interventions can reduce sporting asymmetries and improve performance. This study aimed to assess the amount of asymmetry in the trunk regarding the frontal plane and the difference between limb circumferences in female table tennis players compared to the control group (non-athletes). Methods Twenty-two women took part in the study. Ten of them were table tennis professionals with an average training experience of 7 ± 4.3 years (the exclusion criterion of the study was a minimum of 3 years of training experience). As a comparison group, the study included 12 female students who did not participate in competitive sports. Body posture was assessed in all subjects using equipment for computer analysis of asymmetry in the torso using the photogrammetric method. Additionally, all the subjects had their upper and lower limb circumferences measured. Results The results of the conducted research showed asymmetry in the frontal plane in the table tennis player group. As many as six parameters—regarding the pelvic rotation angle, angle of trunk inclination, the height of the angles of the lower shoulder blades and their distance from the spine, as well as the waist triangles, difference in the width and height of the waist triangles and the angle of trunk inclination—indicated asymmetry in this group but significantly differed from the control group (p ≤ 0.05) only in the first parameter given above. The calculated differences in circumference between the right and left sides in the individual groups were statistically different in sev…
bibliographic citation: Bańkosz et al. (2024) Interlimb and trunk asymmetry in the frontal plane of table tennis female players. PeerJ 12:e17526 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17526
date submitted: 2024-02-05
date accepted: 2024-05-16
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bańkosz
  given name: Ziemowit
author list: Agent
  family name: Hawrylak
  given name: Arletta
author list: Agent
  family name: Kołodziej
  given name: Małgorzata
author list: Agent
  family name: Murinova
  given name: Lenka
author list: Agent
  family name: Barczyk-Pawelec
  given name: Katarzyna
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17526
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: ©2024 Bańkosz et al.
attribution name: Bańkosz et al.

Decrease in the usual walking speed and body fat percentage associated with a deterioration in long-term care insurance certification levels
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background In Japan, the number of older adults requiring long-term care insurance (LTCI) is increasing and the cost is becoming a social problem. In these fields, the role of geriatric rehabilitation includes maintaining the physical function and LTCI certification levels. The prevalence of sarcopenia is high among older adults requiring LTCI certification, and there are many opportunities to assess the handgrip strength, walking speed, and muscle mass. This study aimed to identify sarcopenia-related assessments sensitive to transitions in LTCI certification levels and determine cut-off values to predict them. Methods This prospective cohort study analyzed 98 daycare users (mean age ± standard error: 78.5 ± 0.8 years) between March 2019 and 2023. The participants received LTCI certification before the study, and their levels were renewed between baseline and follow-up (six months later). The measurements included handgrip strength, usual walking speed, body composition, and SARC-F score. Participants were classified into maintenance, deterioration, and improvement groups according to the changes in their LTCI certification levels. We identified factors contributing to the deterioration of LTCI certification levels using baseline and before and after comparisons, multivariate analyses, and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Results No significant differences were observed in the baseline data among the groups. Only the deterioration group showed significant changes in the usual walking speed (baseline: 0.64 ± 0.25 m/s, follow-up: 0.53 ± 0.21 m/s, P = 0.008) and body fat percentage (baseline: 29.2 ± 9.9%, follow-up: 27.7 ± 10.3%, P = 0.047). Binomial logistic regression showed that changes in usual walking speed (P = 0.042) and body fat percentage (P = 0.011) were significantly associated with the deterioration of LTCI certification levels, even after adjustment. The cutoff values of change to discriminate the deterioration of LTCI certification levels were …
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format: text/html
creator: Yohei Sawaya
creator: Tamaki Hirose
creator: Takahiro Shiba
creator: Ryo Sato
creator: Lu Yin
creator: Akira Kubo
creator: Tomohiko Urano
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Nursing
subject: Rehabilitation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17529
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Sawaya et al.
abstract: Background In Japan, the number of older adults requiring long-term care insurance (LTCI) is increasing and the cost is becoming a social problem. In these fields, the role of geriatric rehabilitation includes maintaining the physical function and LTCI certification levels. The prevalence of sarcopenia is high among older adults requiring LTCI certification, and there are many opportunities to assess the handgrip strength, walking speed, and muscle mass. This study aimed to identify sarcopenia-related assessments sensitive to transitions in LTCI certification levels and determine cut-off values to predict them. Methods This prospective cohort study analyzed 98 daycare users (mean age ± standard error: 78.5 ± 0.8 years) between March 2019 and 2023. The participants received LTCI certification before the study, and their levels were renewed between baseline and follow-up (six months later). The measurements included handgrip strength, usual walking speed, body composition, and SARC-F score. Participants were classified into maintenance, deterioration, and improvement groups according to the changes in their LTCI certification levels. We identified factors contributing to the deterioration of LTCI certification levels using baseline and before and after comparisons, multivariate analyses, and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Results No significant differences were observed in the baseline data among the groups. Only the deterioration group showed significant changes in the usual walking speed (baseline: 0.64 ± 0.25 m/s, follow-up: 0.53 ± 0.21 m/s, P = 0.008) and body fat percentage (baseline: 29.2 ± 9.9%, follow-up: 27.7 ± 10.3%, P = 0.047). Binomial logistic regression showed that changes in usual walking speed (P = 0.042) and body fat percentage (P = 0.011) were significantly associated with the deterioration of LTCI certification levels, even after adjustment. The cutoff values of change to discriminate the deterioration of LTCI certification levels were …
bibliographic citation: Sawaya et al. (2024) Decrease in the usual walking speed and body fat percentage associated with a deterioration in long-term care insurance certification levels. PeerJ 12:e17529 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17529
date submitted: 2024-02-09
date accepted: 2024-05-17
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sawaya
  given name: Yohei
author list: Agent
  family name: Hirose
  given name: Tamaki
author list: Agent
  family name: Shiba
  given name: Takahiro
author list: Agent
  family name: Sato
  given name: Ryo
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Lu
author list: Agent
  family name: Kubo
  given name: Akira
author list: Agent
  family name: Urano
  given name: Tomohiko
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17529
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: ©2024 Sawaya et al.
attribution name: Sawaya et al.

Construction of a nomogram for predicting catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients with end-stage renal disease after renal transplantation: a retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The incidence of catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is relatively high in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent renal transplantation (RT). This study was designed to establish a nomogram for predicting CRBD after RT among ESRD patients. Methods In this retrospective study, we collected 269 ESRD patients who underwent RT between September 2019 and August 2023 in our hospital. The patients were divided into training set (n = 215) and test set (n = 54) based on a ratio of 8:2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify the risk factors associated with CRBD after RT, and then a nomogram model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predicting efficiency of the established nomogram. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aberrant body mass index (BMI) (underweight: OR = 5.25; 95% CI [1.25–22.15], P = 0.024; overweight: OR = 2.75; 95% CI [1.17–6.49], P = 0.021), anuria (OR = 2.86; 95% CI [1.33–5.88]) and application of double J (DJ) stent with a diameter of >5Fr (OR = 15.88; 95% CI [6.47–39.01], P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for CRBD after RT. In contrast, sufentanil utilization (>100 µg) [OR = 0.39; 95% CI [0.17–0.88], P = 0.023] was associated with decreased incidence of CRBD. A nomogram was then established based on these parameters for predicting the occurrence of CRBD after RT. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) values and calibration curves confirmed the prediction efficiency of the nomogram. Conclusion A nomogram was established for predicting CRBD after RT in ESRD patients, which showed good prediction efficiency based on AUC and calibration curves.
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creator: Kao Liu
creator: Shengli Liu
creator: Zhiguo Peng
creator: Na Li
creator: Huaibin Sun
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Nephrology
subject: Urology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17530
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Liu et al.
abstract: Background The incidence of catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is relatively high in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent renal transplantation (RT). This study was designed to establish a nomogram for predicting CRBD after RT among ESRD patients. Methods In this retrospective study, we collected 269 ESRD patients who underwent RT between September 2019 and August 2023 in our hospital. The patients were divided into training set (n = 215) and test set (n = 54) based on a ratio of 8:2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify the risk factors associated with CRBD after RT, and then a nomogram model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predicting efficiency of the established nomogram. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aberrant body mass index (BMI) (underweight: OR = 5.25; 95% CI [1.25–22.15], P = 0.024; overweight: OR = 2.75; 95% CI [1.17–6.49], P = 0.021), anuria (OR = 2.86; 95% CI [1.33–5.88]) and application of double J (DJ) stent with a diameter of >5Fr (OR = 15.88; 95% CI [6.47–39.01], P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for CRBD after RT. In contrast, sufentanil utilization (>100 µg) [OR = 0.39; 95% CI [0.17–0.88], P = 0.023] was associated with decreased incidence of CRBD. A nomogram was then established based on these parameters for predicting the occurrence of CRBD after RT. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) values and calibration curves confirmed the prediction efficiency of the nomogram. Conclusion A nomogram was established for predicting CRBD after RT in ESRD patients, which showed good prediction efficiency based on AUC and calibration curves.
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2024) Construction of a nomogram for predicting catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients with end-stage renal disease after renal transplantation: a retrospective study. PeerJ 12:e17530 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17530
date submitted: 2023-12-13
date accepted: 2024-05-17
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Kao
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Shengli
author list: Agent
  family name: Peng
  given name: Zhiguo
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Na
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Huaibin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17530
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: ©2024 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

The relationship between low energy availability, injuries, and bone health in recreational female athletes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Low energy availability (LEA) causes pathophysiology of the female athlete’s body affecting the bone and reproductive health and was observed to have a high prevalence in recreational female athletes previously. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between low energy availability in females questionnaire (LEAF-Q), bone mineral density (BMD), and postural stability in recreational athletes. Methods Recreational female athletes (n = 24, age: 23.71 ± 2.94, Tier I) completed LEAF-Q, postural stability measurement during quiet stance (Zebris platform FDM; GmbH) and their BMD was measured using DXA (Hologic QDR Horizon A). Non-parametric statistical tests were used to analyse the relationships between LEAF-Q, BMD, and postural stability and to compare differences between participants divided by the LEAF-Q score and its subscales. Results Risk of LEA was observed in 50% of recreational athletes participating in this study. Up to 46% of participants perceived menstrual bleeding changes related to training and 37.50% experienced menstrual dysfunction. Body composition and body weight fluctuations were observed to affect postural stability and BMD. With the risk score for LEA, the BMD and postural stability were not negatively affected in recreational athletes. However, the high number of recreational athletes in the risk score for LEA and menstrual dysfunctions highlights the need for public health programs aimed to increase awareness of LEA and its health consequences and for open communication about the menstrual cycle. Future longitudinal studies observing LEA, BMD, menstrual function, postural stability, and their interrelationship in female athletes are needed to increase the knowledge of this topic.
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format: text/html
creator: Marta Gimunová
creator: Michal Bozděch
creator: Martina Bernaciková
creator: Romulo Fernandes
creator: Michal Kumstát
creator: Ana Paludo
subject: Women’s Health
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17533
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Gimunová et al.
abstract: Background Low energy availability (LEA) causes pathophysiology of the female athlete’s body affecting the bone and reproductive health and was observed to have a high prevalence in recreational female athletes previously. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between low energy availability in females questionnaire (LEAF-Q), bone mineral density (BMD), and postural stability in recreational athletes. Methods Recreational female athletes (n = 24, age: 23.71 ± 2.94, Tier I) completed LEAF-Q, postural stability measurement during quiet stance (Zebris platform FDM; GmbH) and their BMD was measured using DXA (Hologic QDR Horizon A). Non-parametric statistical tests were used to analyse the relationships between LEAF-Q, BMD, and postural stability and to compare differences between participants divided by the LEAF-Q score and its subscales. Results Risk of LEA was observed in 50% of recreational athletes participating in this study. Up to 46% of participants perceived menstrual bleeding changes related to training and 37.50% experienced menstrual dysfunction. Body composition and body weight fluctuations were observed to affect postural stability and BMD. With the risk score for LEA, the BMD and postural stability were not negatively affected in recreational athletes. However, the high number of recreational athletes in the risk score for LEA and menstrual dysfunctions highlights the need for public health programs aimed to increase awareness of LEA and its health consequences and for open communication about the menstrual cycle. Future longitudinal studies observing LEA, BMD, menstrual function, postural stability, and their interrelationship in female athletes are needed to increase the knowledge of this topic.
bibliographic citation: Gimunová et al. (2024) The relationship between low energy availability, injuries, and bone health in recreational female athletes. PeerJ 12:e17533 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17533
date submitted: 2024-02-22
date accepted: 2024-05-17
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gimunová
  given name: Marta
author list: Agent
  family name: Bozděch
  given name: Michal
author list: Agent
  family name: Bernaciková
  given name: Martina
author list: Agent
  family name: Fernandes
  given name: Romulo
author list: Agent
  family name: Kumstát
  given name: Michal
author list: Agent
  family name: Paludo
  given name: Ana
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17533
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: © 2024 Gimunová et al.
attribution name: Gimunová et al.

Efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (n-AMD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched for relevant studies. Stata and RevMan5.4 were applied for meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment. Data on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CSFT), presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and/or subretinal fluid (SRF), participants with ≥1 serious adverse events, and participants with ≥1 adverse events were analyzed. Results Six studies were finally included. Meta-analysis showed statistical differences in BCVA [SMD = −0.65, 95% CI [−0.17 to −0.23], P < 0.05], the presence of IRF and/or SRF [RR = 0.67, 95% CI [0.56–0.79], P < 0.05], and the safety of participants with ≥1 serious adverse events [RR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.39–0.84], P < 0.05] between the experimental group and the control group. However, no statistical differences were observed in CSFT [SMD = −1.16, 95% CI [−2.79 to 0.47], P > 0.05] or the safety of participants with ≥1 adverse events [RR = 1.07, 95% CI [0.97–1.17], P > 0.05]. Conclusions Compared to other anti-VEGF drugs such as Aflibercept and Ranibizumab, intravitreal injection of 6 mg Brolucizumab is more effective and safer for n-AMD, especially in the presence of IRF and/or SRF, and for participants with ≥1 serious adverse events.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ran Dou
creator: Jian Jiang
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Ophthalmology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17561
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Dou and Jiang
abstract: Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (n-AMD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched for relevant studies. Stata and RevMan5.4 were applied for meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment. Data on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CSFT), presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and/or subretinal fluid (SRF), participants with ≥1 serious adverse events, and participants with ≥1 adverse events were analyzed. Results Six studies were finally included. Meta-analysis showed statistical differences in BCVA [SMD = −0.65, 95% CI [−0.17 to −0.23], P < 0.05], the presence of IRF and/or SRF [RR = 0.67, 95% CI [0.56–0.79], P < 0.05], and the safety of participants with ≥1 serious adverse events [RR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.39–0.84], P < 0.05] between the experimental group and the control group. However, no statistical differences were observed in CSFT [SMD = −1.16, 95% CI [−2.79 to 0.47], P > 0.05] or the safety of participants with ≥1 adverse events [RR = 1.07, 95% CI [0.97–1.17], P > 0.05]. Conclusions Compared to other anti-VEGF drugs such as Aflibercept and Ranibizumab, intravitreal injection of 6 mg Brolucizumab is more effective and safer for n-AMD, especially in the presence of IRF and/or SRF, and for participants with ≥1 serious adverse events.
bibliographic citation: Dou et al. (2024) Efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e17561 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17561
date submitted: 2023-12-14
date accepted: 2024-05-21
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dou
  given name: Ran
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Jian
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17561
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: © 2024 Dou and Jiang
attribution name: Dou and Jiang

Retrospective study of a novel hematological parameter for predicting the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose This study aims to explore the prognostic values of routine pre-treatment hematological parameters in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods The hematological parameters and clinical data of patients with NPC were collected from January 2012 to December 2013 at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The survival statistics were obtained by regularly following-up the patients. The cut-off values for the hematological parameters were calculated using X-tile software. SPSS version 24.0 was used for the statistical analysis. The relationship between the hematological parameters and the prognosis of patients with NPC was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox multivariate regression. The discriminating abilities of the factors, which predict the prognosis, were evaluated by utilizing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). Results This study included 179 patients with NPC. Multivariate analysis shows that pretreatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR; hazard ratio; HR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21–0.91], p = 0.029), serum albumin (ALB; HR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.17–5.30], p = 0.018), and globulin (GLO; HR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21–0.90], p = 0.024) are independent predictors for 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients with NPC. In addition, pre-treatment PLR (HR = 0.47, 95% CI [0.25–0.90], p = 0.022) and pre-treatment GLO (HR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.19–0.72], p = 0.001) are associated with 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with NPC. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, we proposed a new biomarker GLO-PLR, which is observably correlated with the T stage, N stage and clinical stage in patients with NPC. The OS resolving ability of the GLO-PLR evaluated by AUC is 0.714, which is better than those of GLO and PLR. The PFS resolving ability of the GLO-PLR evaluated by AUC was 0.696, which is also better than those of GLO and PLR. Conclusion Pre-treatment PLR, …
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format: text/html
creator: Wenhua Tang
creator: Guoxian Long
subject: Oncology
subject: Otorhinolaryngology
subject: Translational Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17573
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Tang and Long
abstract: Purpose This study aims to explore the prognostic values of routine pre-treatment hematological parameters in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods The hematological parameters and clinical data of patients with NPC were collected from January 2012 to December 2013 at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The survival statistics were obtained by regularly following-up the patients. The cut-off values for the hematological parameters were calculated using X-tile software. SPSS version 24.0 was used for the statistical analysis. The relationship between the hematological parameters and the prognosis of patients with NPC was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox multivariate regression. The discriminating abilities of the factors, which predict the prognosis, were evaluated by utilizing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). Results This study included 179 patients with NPC. Multivariate analysis shows that pretreatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR; hazard ratio; HR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21–0.91], p = 0.029), serum albumin (ALB; HR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.17–5.30], p = 0.018), and globulin (GLO; HR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21–0.90], p = 0.024) are independent predictors for 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients with NPC. In addition, pre-treatment PLR (HR = 0.47, 95% CI [0.25–0.90], p = 0.022) and pre-treatment GLO (HR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.19–0.72], p = 0.001) are associated with 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with NPC. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, we proposed a new biomarker GLO-PLR, which is observably correlated with the T stage, N stage and clinical stage in patients with NPC. The OS resolving ability of the GLO-PLR evaluated by AUC is 0.714, which is better than those of GLO and PLR. The PFS resolving ability of the GLO-PLR evaluated by AUC was 0.696, which is also better than those of GLO and PLR. Conclusion Pre-treatment PLR, …
bibliographic citation: Tang et al. (2024) Retrospective study of a novel hematological parameter for predicting the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PeerJ 12:e17573 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17573
date submitted: 2024-01-30
date accepted: 2024-05-24
issued: 2024-06-21
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tang
  given name: Wenhua
author list: Agent
  family name: Long
  given name: Guoxian
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17573
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-21
copyright: ©2024 Tang and Long
attribution name: Tang and Long

https://peerj.com/articles/17224
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals rapid regional radiations and extreme endemism within centrosaurine dinosaurs
description: The Late Cretaceous of western North America supported diverse dinosaur assemblages, though understanding patterns of dinosaur diversity, evolution, and extinction has been historically limited by unequal geographic and temporal sampling. In particular, the existence and extent of faunal endemism along the eastern coastal plain of Laramidia continues to generate debate, and finer scale regional patterns remain elusive. Here, we report a new centrosaurine ceratopsid, Lokiceratops rangiformis, from the lower portion of the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation in the Kennedy Coulee region along the Canada-USA border. Dinosaurs from the same small geographic region, and from nearby, stratigraphically equivalent horizons of the lower Oldman Formation in Canada, reveal unprecedented ceratopsid richness, with four sympatric centrosaurine taxa and one chasmosaurine taxon. Phylogenetic results show that Lokiceratops, together with Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops, was part of a clade restricted to a small portion of northern Laramidia approximately 78 million years ago. This group, Albertaceratopsini, was one of multiple centrosaurine clades to undergo geographically restricted radiations, with Nasutuceratopsini restricted to the south and Centrosaurini and Pachyrostra restricted to the north. High regional endemism in centrosaurs is associated with, and may have been driven by, high speciation rates and diversity, with competition between dinosaurs limiting their geographic range. High speciation rates may in turn have been driven in part by sexual selection or latitudinally uneven climatic and floral gradients. The high endemism seen in centrosaurines and other dinosaurs implies that dinosaur diversity is underestimated and contrasts with the large geographic ranges seen in most extant mammalian megafauna.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mark A. Loewen
creator: Joseph J. W. Sertich
creator: Scott Sampson
creator: Jingmai K. O’Connor
creator: Savhannah Carpenter
creator: Brock Sisson
creator: Anna Øhlenschlæger
creator: Andrew A. Farke
creator: Peter J. Makovicky
creator: Nick Longrich
creator: David C. Evans
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17224
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Loewen et al.
abstract: The Late Cretaceous of western North America supported diverse dinosaur assemblages, though understanding patterns of dinosaur diversity, evolution, and extinction has been historically limited by unequal geographic and temporal sampling. In particular, the existence and extent of faunal endemism along the eastern coastal plain of Laramidia continues to generate debate, and finer scale regional patterns remain elusive. Here, we report a new centrosaurine ceratopsid, Lokiceratops rangiformis, from the lower portion of the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation in the Kennedy Coulee region along the Canada-USA border. Dinosaurs from the same small geographic region, and from nearby, stratigraphically equivalent horizons of the lower Oldman Formation in Canada, reveal unprecedented ceratopsid richness, with four sympatric centrosaurine taxa and one chasmosaurine taxon. Phylogenetic results show that Lokiceratops, together with Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops, was part of a clade restricted to a small portion of northern Laramidia approximately 78 million years ago. This group, Albertaceratopsini, was one of multiple centrosaurine clades to undergo geographically restricted radiations, with Nasutuceratopsini restricted to the south and Centrosaurini and Pachyrostra restricted to the north. High regional endemism in centrosaurs is associated with, and may have been driven by, high speciation rates and diversity, with competition between dinosaurs limiting their geographic range. High speciation rates may in turn have been driven in part by sexual selection or latitudinally uneven climatic and floral gradients. The high endemism seen in centrosaurines and other dinosaurs implies that dinosaur diversity is underestimated and contrasts with the large geographic ranges seen in most extant mammalian megafauna.
bibliographic citation: Loewen et al. (2024) Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals rapid regional radiations and extreme endemism within centrosaurine dinosaurs. PeerJ 12:e17224 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17224
date submitted: 2023-02-21
date accepted: 2024-03-20
issued: 2024-06-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Loewen
  given name: Mark A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sertich
  given name: Joseph J. W.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sampson
  given name: Scott
author list: Agent
  family name: O’Connor
  given name: Jingmai K.
author list: Agent
  family name: Carpenter
  given name: Savhannah
author list: Agent
  family name: Sisson
  given name: Brock
author list: Agent
  family name: Øhlenschlæger
  given name: Anna
author list: Agent
  family name: Farke
  given name: Andrew A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Makovicky
  given name: Peter J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Longrich
  given name: Nick
author list: Agent
  family name: Evans
  given name: David C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17224
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-20
copyright: © 2024 Loewen et al.
attribution name: Loewen et al.

Gypenosides exert cardioprotective effects by promoting mitophagy and activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Mcl-1 signaling
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, a well-known edible and medicinal plant, has anti-aging properties and is used to treataging-associated conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Gypenosides (GYPs) are the primary constituents of G. pentaphyllum. Increasing evidence indicates that GYPs are effective at preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and preventing heart failure (HF). This study aimed to uncover the cardioprotective mechanisms of GYPs related to mitochondrial regulation. Methods The bioactive components in GYPs and the potential targets in treating HF were obtained and screened using the network pharmacology approach, followed by drug-disease target prediction and enrichment analyses. The pharmacological effects of GYPs in cardioprotection, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial quality control, and underlying mechanisms were further investigated in Doxorubicin (Dox)-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results A total of 88 bioactive compounds of GYPs and their respective 71 drug-disease targets were identified. The hub targets covered MAPK, EGFR, PI3KCA, and Mcl-1. Enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways primarily contained PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and FoxO signalings, as well as calcium regulation, protein phosphorylation, apoptosis, and mitophagy process. In Dox-stimulated H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes, pretreatment with GYPs increased cell viability, enhanced cellular ATP content, restored basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, GYPs improved PINK1/parkin-mediated mitophagy without influencing mitochondrial fission/fusion proteins and the autophagic LC3 levels. Mechanistically, the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, GSK-3β, and the protein level of Mcl-1 was upregulated by GYP treatment. Conclusion Our findings reveal that GYPs exert cardioprotective effects by rescuing the defective mitophagy, and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Mcl-1 signaling is potentially involved in th…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yizhe Zheng
creator: Wei Wei
creator: Yukun Wang
creator: Tingting Li
creator: Yundong Wei
creator: Si Gao
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Cardiology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17538
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Zheng et al.
abstract: Background Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, a well-known edible and medicinal plant, has anti-aging properties and is used to treataging-associated conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Gypenosides (GYPs) are the primary constituents of G. pentaphyllum. Increasing evidence indicates that GYPs are effective at preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and preventing heart failure (HF). This study aimed to uncover the cardioprotective mechanisms of GYPs related to mitochondrial regulation. Methods The bioactive components in GYPs and the potential targets in treating HF were obtained and screened using the network pharmacology approach, followed by drug-disease target prediction and enrichment analyses. The pharmacological effects of GYPs in cardioprotection, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial quality control, and underlying mechanisms were further investigated in Doxorubicin (Dox)-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results A total of 88 bioactive compounds of GYPs and their respective 71 drug-disease targets were identified. The hub targets covered MAPK, EGFR, PI3KCA, and Mcl-1. Enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways primarily contained PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and FoxO signalings, as well as calcium regulation, protein phosphorylation, apoptosis, and mitophagy process. In Dox-stimulated H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes, pretreatment with GYPs increased cell viability, enhanced cellular ATP content, restored basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, GYPs improved PINK1/parkin-mediated mitophagy without influencing mitochondrial fission/fusion proteins and the autophagic LC3 levels. Mechanistically, the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, GSK-3β, and the protein level of Mcl-1 was upregulated by GYP treatment. Conclusion Our findings reveal that GYPs exert cardioprotective effects by rescuing the defective mitophagy, and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Mcl-1 signaling is potentially involved in th…
bibliographic citation: Zheng et al. (2024) Gypenosides exert cardioprotective effects by promoting mitophagy and activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Mcl-1 signaling. PeerJ 12:e17538 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17538
date submitted: 2023-09-21
date accepted: 2024-05-19
issued: 2024-06-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Yizhe
author list: Agent
  family name: Wei
  given name: Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yukun
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Tingting
author list: Agent
  family name: Wei
  given name: Yundong
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Si
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17538
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-20
copyright: ©2024 Zheng et al.
attribution name: Zheng et al.

Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome reveal the genetic structure of the native Polish Konik horse population
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Polish Konik remains one of the most important horse breeds in Poland. The primitive, native horses with a stocky body and mouse-like coat color are protected by a conservation program, while their Polish population consists of about 3,480 individuals, representing 16 dam and six sire lines. To define the population’s genetic structure, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome sequence variables were identified. The mtDNA whole hypervariable region analysis was carried out using the Sanger sequencing method on 233 Polish Koniks belonging to all dam lines, while the Y chromosome analysis was performed with the competitive allele-specific PCR genotyping method on 36 horses belonging to all sire lines. The analysis of the mtDNA hypervariable region detected 47 SNPs, which assigned all tested horses to 43 haplotypes. Most dam lines presented more than one haplotype; however, five dam lines were represented by only one haplotype. The haplotypes were classified into six (A, B, E, J, G, R) recognized mtDNA haplogroups, with most horses belonging to haplogroup A, common among Asian horse populations. Y chromosome analysis allocated Polish Koniks in the Crown group, condensing all modern horse breeds, and divided them into three haplotypes clustering with coldblood breeds (28 horses), warmblood breeds (two horses), and Duelmener Pony (six horses). The clustering of all Wicek sire line stallions with Duelmener horses may suggest a historical relationship between the breeds. Additionally, both mtDNA and Y chromosome sequence variability results indicate crossbreeding before the studbooks closure or irregularities in the pedigrees occurred before the DNA testing introduction.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Adrianna Dominika Musiał
creator: Lara Radović
creator: Monika Stefaniuk-Szmukier
creator: Agnieszka Bieniek
creator: Barbara Wallner
creator: Katarzyna Ropka-Molik
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.17549
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2024 Musiał et al.
abstract: Polish Konik remains one of the most important horse breeds in Poland. The primitive, native horses with a stocky body and mouse-like coat color are protected by a conservation program, while their Polish population consists of about 3,480 individuals, representing 16 dam and six sire lines. To define the population’s genetic structure, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome sequence variables were identified. The mtDNA whole hypervariable region analysis was carried out using the Sanger sequencing method on 233 Polish Koniks belonging to all dam lines, while the Y chromosome analysis was performed with the competitive allele-specific PCR genotyping method on 36 horses belonging to all sire lines. The analysis of the mtDNA hypervariable region detected 47 SNPs, which assigned all tested horses to 43 haplotypes. Most dam lines presented more than one haplotype; however, five dam lines were represented by only one haplotype. The haplotypes were classified into six (A, B, E, J, G, R) recognized mtDNA haplogroups, with most horses belonging to haplogroup A, common among Asian horse populations. Y chromosome analysis allocated Polish Koniks in the Crown group, condensing all modern horse breeds, and divided them into three haplotypes clustering with coldblood breeds (28 horses), warmblood breeds (two horses), and Duelmener Pony (six horses). The clustering of all Wicek sire line stallions with Duelmener horses may suggest a historical relationship between the breeds. Additionally, both mtDNA and Y chromosome sequence variability results indicate crossbreeding before the studbooks closure or irregularities in the pedigrees occurred before the DNA testing introduction.
bibliographic citation: Musiał et al. (2024) Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome reveal the genetic structure of the native Polish Konik horse population. PeerJ 12:e17549 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17549
date submitted: 2023-12-28
date accepted: 2024-05-20
issued: 2024-06-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Musiał
  given name: Adrianna Dominika
author list: Agent
  family name: Radović
  given name: Lara
author list: Agent
  family name: Stefaniuk-Szmukier
  given name: Monika
author list: Agent
  family name: Bieniek
  given name: Agnieszka
author list: Agent
  family name: Wallner
  given name: Barbara
author list: Agent
  family name: Ropka-Molik
  given name: Katarzyna
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17549
volume: 12
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2024-06-20
copyright: © 2024 Musiał et al.
attribution name: Musiał et al.

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