PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Multifractal analysis of vegetation regulation on ecohydrological processes in a small watershed
items: MRS2 and mitochondrial gene networks in endometrial cancer: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications
items: Individual and population variation in isotopic niche between two sympatric cormorant species
items: The Appalbees menu: a multiyear, multilocus metagenetic assessment of pollen foraging by Appalachian Bombus affinis workers
items: Association between WeChat-based remote care guidance and diabetic foot ulcer healing: a retrospective cohort study
items: Improving exercise motivation and physical fitness in college students through a long-term mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan program: a randomized controlled trial
items: Beneath the canopy, beneath the ground: how surface microhabitats shape cave communities
items: Integrating cerebrovascular morphology and radiomics features for predicting stroke prognosis: a retrospective study
items: Perceived social support as a mediator between left-behind experience and subjective well-being in Chinese college students
items: Comparison of the safety and efficacy of remimazolam for sedation during bronchoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Multifractal analysis of vegetation regulation on ecohydrological processes in a small watershed
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Runoff from small catchments facilitate water movement and a hydrologic balance across an area. In the watershed hydrological cycle, precipitation serves as the primary source of runoff, while runoff represents a delayed response to precipitation. Vegetation plays a crucial regulatory role in the relationship between precipitation and runoff through multiple ecohydrological mechanisms, including interception, infiltration regulation, and evapotranspiration. In different small watersheds, the dominant coupling mechanisms between precipitation and runoff exhibit clear temporal-scale dependence due to the variability of meteorological conditions and vegetation dynamics. Moreover, these interactions are strongly influenced by topographic features, vegetation cover, and soil composition, resulting in considerable uncertainty in the interrelationships among precipitation, runoff, and vegetation. Methods We investigated the nonlinear relationship between precipitation and runoff at various time scales, drawing on long-term observational data (2017–2022) from the Quxi River catchment in China. We used the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) to explore scale-dependent dynamics. The multifractal parameter was applied to reveal how water retention in the Quxi River small watershed varies across scales. To explore seasonal vegetation effects, we further conducted sliding window and Pearson correlation analyses. Results EEMD, detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and MF-DCCA analyses were applied to runoff, precipitation, and vegetation cover data in the Quxi River watershed, China. EEMD revealed that high-frequency modes of precipitation and runoff, with a ∼2-week cycle, explained significant data variance. DFA showed precipitation as a random process, while runoff exhibited long-term persistence. MF-DCCA confirmed multifractal characteristics in precipitation-runoff coupling, with the multifrac…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kai Shi
creator: Bin Hu
creator: Qiang Xiao
creator: Songlin Tan
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecohydrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20496
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Shi et al.
abstract: Background Runoff from small catchments facilitate water movement and a hydrologic balance across an area. In the watershed hydrological cycle, precipitation serves as the primary source of runoff, while runoff represents a delayed response to precipitation. Vegetation plays a crucial regulatory role in the relationship between precipitation and runoff through multiple ecohydrological mechanisms, including interception, infiltration regulation, and evapotranspiration. In different small watersheds, the dominant coupling mechanisms between precipitation and runoff exhibit clear temporal-scale dependence due to the variability of meteorological conditions and vegetation dynamics. Moreover, these interactions are strongly influenced by topographic features, vegetation cover, and soil composition, resulting in considerable uncertainty in the interrelationships among precipitation, runoff, and vegetation. Methods We investigated the nonlinear relationship between precipitation and runoff at various time scales, drawing on long-term observational data (2017–2022) from the Quxi River catchment in China. We used the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) to explore scale-dependent dynamics. The multifractal parameter was applied to reveal how water retention in the Quxi River small watershed varies across scales. To explore seasonal vegetation effects, we further conducted sliding window and Pearson correlation analyses. Results EEMD, detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and MF-DCCA analyses were applied to runoff, precipitation, and vegetation cover data in the Quxi River watershed, China. EEMD revealed that high-frequency modes of precipitation and runoff, with a ∼2-week cycle, explained significant data variance. DFA showed precipitation as a random process, while runoff exhibited long-term persistence. MF-DCCA confirmed multifractal characteristics in precipitation-runoff coupling, with the multifrac…
bibliographic citation: Shi et al. (2026) Multifractal analysis of vegetation regulation on ecohydrological processes in a small watershed. PeerJ 14:e20496 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20496
date submitted: 2025-07-15
date accepted: 2025-11-10
issued: 2026-01-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Kai
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Bin
author list: Agent
  family name: Xiao
  given name: Qiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Songlin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20496
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-12
copyright: ©2026 Shi et al.
attribution name: Shi et al.

MRS2 and mitochondrial gene networks in endometrial cancer: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Magnesium ions and their transport proteins are increasingly recognized for their critical roles in tumor progression. However, their specific mechanisms in endometrial cancer (EC) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the role of Mitochondrial RNA Splicing 2 protein (MRS2), a key mitochondrial magnesium transporter, and its associated genes, in regulating mitochondrial function and the invasive and metastatic capabilities of EC cells. Using a combination of experimental approaches including lactate detection, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, CCK8 assays, and Transwell migration assays, along with bioinformatics analysis, we investigated the relationship between lactate levels and MRS2 expression in endometrial cancer cells (KLE). Our findings suggest that elevated lactate levels are associated with increased MRS2 expression in mitochondria. This correlation was further linked to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and altered expression of mitochondrial-related genes. Notably, MRS2 knockdown resulted in reduced proliferation of KLE cells, supporting a potential functional role of MRS2 in endometrial cancer progression. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying EC progression and highlight MRS2 as a potential therapeutic target.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Leyi Huang
creator: Yafang Kang
creator: Wenyu Lin
creator: Jiaxi Chen
creator: Yuxuan Huang
creator: Yan Zhang
creator: Yihan Shen
creator: Zeyu Wu
creator: Sihao Chen
creator: Shaoqing Zheng
creator: Yiyang Wang
creator: Renxi Lin
creator: Yuanlin Qi
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20409
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Huang et al.
abstract: Magnesium ions and their transport proteins are increasingly recognized for their critical roles in tumor progression. However, their specific mechanisms in endometrial cancer (EC) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the role of Mitochondrial RNA Splicing 2 protein (MRS2), a key mitochondrial magnesium transporter, and its associated genes, in regulating mitochondrial function and the invasive and metastatic capabilities of EC cells. Using a combination of experimental approaches including lactate detection, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, CCK8 assays, and Transwell migration assays, along with bioinformatics analysis, we investigated the relationship between lactate levels and MRS2 expression in endometrial cancer cells (KLE). Our findings suggest that elevated lactate levels are associated with increased MRS2 expression in mitochondria. This correlation was further linked to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and altered expression of mitochondrial-related genes. Notably, MRS2 knockdown resulted in reduced proliferation of KLE cells, supporting a potential functional role of MRS2 in endometrial cancer progression. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying EC progression and highlight MRS2 as a potential therapeutic target.
bibliographic citation: Huang et al. (2026) MRS2 and mitochondrial gene networks in endometrial cancer: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications. PeerJ 14:e20409 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20409
date submitted: 2025-03-11
date accepted: 2025-10-28
issued: 2026-01-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Leyi
author list: Agent
  family name: Kang
  given name: Yafang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Wenyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Jiaxi
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Yuxuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yan
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Yihan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Zeyu
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Sihao
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Shaoqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yiyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Renxi
author list: Agent
  family name: Qi
  given name: Yuanlin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20409
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-12
copyright: ©2026 Huang et al.
attribution name: Huang et al.

Individual and population variation in isotopic niche between two sympatric cormorant species
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Coexistence among sympatric, functionally similar species often hinges on niche differentiation, especially as resource competition intensifies during the breeding season. Individual specialisation (IS) can promote coexistence by narrowing individual niches or increasing divergence among individuals. In colonial seabirds, aggregation at limited breeding sites and central-place foraging amplify both intra- and interspecific competition. Here, we assess seasonal shifts in individual and population isotopic niche widths in two sympatric cormorant species to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their coexistence. We analysed isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) in multiple-tissues to produce repeated measures within 111 individuals of red-legged cormorant (Poikilocarbo gaimardi) and imperial shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) captured on the Pirén Islet (Los Lagos, Chile) during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Multivariate generalised linear mixed models estimated isotopic niche components: total niche width (TNW), within-individual component (WIC), and between-individual component (BIC). We estimated IS (i.e., the extent to which individuals exploit a narrower subset of the population niche) as BIC/TNW. L. atriceps exhibited 2.2-fold greater TNW than P. gaimardi during non-breeding and 2-fold greater during breeding. IS differed markedly between species: L. atriceps showed a higher IS during non-breeding (0.541 vs 0.213 in P. gaimardi), but decreased by 79.3% during breeding, whereas P. gaimardi increased IS by 52.1%. Niche width overlap was asymmetric and seasonally variable: P. gaimardi exhibited high overlap with L. atriceps (95.7% non-breeding, 89.6% breeding), whilst L. atriceps showed lower overlap (48.3% non-breeding, 43.7% breeding). Competition indices increased substantially during breeding in both species (305% in L. atriceps, 221% in P. gaimardi). Results suggest that coexistence relies on multiple mechanisms, including subtle population niche differentiation, co…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gabriela Piriz
creator: Edwin J. Niklitschek
creator: Valentina Mansilla Gamín
creator: Karin Maldonado
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20384
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Piriz et al.
abstract: Coexistence among sympatric, functionally similar species often hinges on niche differentiation, especially as resource competition intensifies during the breeding season. Individual specialisation (IS) can promote coexistence by narrowing individual niches or increasing divergence among individuals. In colonial seabirds, aggregation at limited breeding sites and central-place foraging amplify both intra- and interspecific competition. Here, we assess seasonal shifts in individual and population isotopic niche widths in two sympatric cormorant species to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their coexistence. We analysed isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) in multiple-tissues to produce repeated measures within 111 individuals of red-legged cormorant (Poikilocarbo gaimardi) and imperial shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) captured on the Pirén Islet (Los Lagos, Chile) during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Multivariate generalised linear mixed models estimated isotopic niche components: total niche width (TNW), within-individual component (WIC), and between-individual component (BIC). We estimated IS (i.e., the extent to which individuals exploit a narrower subset of the population niche) as BIC/TNW. L. atriceps exhibited 2.2-fold greater TNW than P. gaimardi during non-breeding and 2-fold greater during breeding. IS differed markedly between species: L. atriceps showed a higher IS during non-breeding (0.541 vs 0.213 in P. gaimardi), but decreased by 79.3% during breeding, whereas P. gaimardi increased IS by 52.1%. Niche width overlap was asymmetric and seasonally variable: P. gaimardi exhibited high overlap with L. atriceps (95.7% non-breeding, 89.6% breeding), whilst L. atriceps showed lower overlap (48.3% non-breeding, 43.7% breeding). Competition indices increased substantially during breeding in both species (305% in L. atriceps, 221% in P. gaimardi). Results suggest that coexistence relies on multiple mechanisms, including subtle population niche differentiation, co…
bibliographic citation: Piriz et al. (2026) Individual and population variation in isotopic niche between two sympatric cormorant species. PeerJ 14:e20384 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20384
date submitted: 2025-07-17
date accepted: 2025-10-22
issued: 2026-01-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Piriz
  given name: Gabriela
author list: Agent
  family name: Niklitschek
  given name: Edwin J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mansilla Gamín
  given name: Valentina
author list: Agent
  family name: Maldonado
  given name: Karin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20384
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-12
copyright: ©2026 Piriz et al.
attribution name: Piriz et al.

The Appalbees menu: a multiyear, multilocus metagenetic assessment of pollen foraging by Appalachian Bombus affinis workers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Detailed studies of foraging behavior are needed for scientific management of the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) in the disjunct and ecologically differentiated habitats it presently occupies. Current knowledge gaps hinder recovery planning but are challenging to redress through direct observation of rare interactions in the field. Methods We used genetic metabarcoding to characterize the taxonomic composition of pollen collected by B. affinis workers in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and West Virginia from 2021–2023. We developed a custom sequence database of the regional flora and compared results for two independent genetic loci, internal transcribed spacer 1 and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS1 and ITS2). Results While ITS2 consistently detected more plant diversity, results from the two loci were broadly concordant with a few notable exceptions. The plant genera Hydrangea, Actaea, Rhododendron, Tilia, and (unexpectedly) Laportea were prominent in midsummer samples, with Rubus a consistent contributor in late spring and early summer. Pea flowers (family Fabaceae) were relatively infrequent but the genera Securigera and Trifolium were detected before the Hydrangea bloom and again in late summer afterwards. The diversity of forage plants was highest in late summer, driven primarily by various genera of Asteraceae. Comparing the current data with previous work indicates regional differentiation in forage plants between Appalachia and the upper Midwest, but also allows ‘consensus’ forage sources that are supported by multiple lines of evidence and shared between regions to be tabulated. These results should help managers focus survey efforts for this endangered species and plan habitat enhancements.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Robert S. Cornman
creator: Mark J. Hepner
creator: Clint R.V. Otto
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Entomology
subject: Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20284
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Cornman et al.
abstract: Background Detailed studies of foraging behavior are needed for scientific management of the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) in the disjunct and ecologically differentiated habitats it presently occupies. Current knowledge gaps hinder recovery planning but are challenging to redress through direct observation of rare interactions in the field. Methods We used genetic metabarcoding to characterize the taxonomic composition of pollen collected by B. affinis workers in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and West Virginia from 2021–2023. We developed a custom sequence database of the regional flora and compared results for two independent genetic loci, internal transcribed spacer 1 and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS1 and ITS2). Results While ITS2 consistently detected more plant diversity, results from the two loci were broadly concordant with a few notable exceptions. The plant genera Hydrangea, Actaea, Rhododendron, Tilia, and (unexpectedly) Laportea were prominent in midsummer samples, with Rubus a consistent contributor in late spring and early summer. Pea flowers (family Fabaceae) were relatively infrequent but the genera Securigera and Trifolium were detected before the Hydrangea bloom and again in late summer afterwards. The diversity of forage plants was highest in late summer, driven primarily by various genera of Asteraceae. Comparing the current data with previous work indicates regional differentiation in forage plants between Appalachia and the upper Midwest, but also allows ‘consensus’ forage sources that are supported by multiple lines of evidence and shared between regions to be tabulated. These results should help managers focus survey efforts for this endangered species and plan habitat enhancements.
bibliographic citation: Cornman et al. (2026) The Appalbees menu: a multiyear, multilocus metagenetic assessment of pollen foraging by Appalachian Bombus affinis workers. PeerJ 14:e20284 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20284
date submitted: 2025-07-31
date accepted: 2025-10-02
issued: 2026-01-12
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cornman
  given name: Robert S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hepner
  given name: Mark J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Otto
  given name: Clint R.V.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20284
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-12
copyright: ©2026 Cornman et al.
attribution name: Cornman et al.

Association between WeChat-based remote care guidance and diabetic foot ulcer healing: a retrospective cohort study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of WeChat-based remote care guidance as a supplement to standard care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Our specific objectives were to compare healing rates, self-management behaviors, and patient satisfaction between the two groups, with a focus on identifying patient subgroups that might benefit most from this approach. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2021 and December 2022, with follow-up until December 2024. Among 131 eligible patients with diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner grades 1–4), 59 received WeChat -based guidance (intervention) while 72 received standard care (control). Primary outcomes included wound healing rate and time-to-healing. Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and treatment satisfaction (DTSQs) were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and disease severity indicators. Results The intervention group showed significantly higher healing rates (88.1% vs 63.9%, P = 0.001) and faster healing time (HR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.35–3.82], P = 0.002). The effect was particularly pronounced in Wagner grade 2–3 ulcers (HR = 14.3–34.2, P < 0.001) and patients receiving interventional procedures (HR = 3.4, 95% CI [1.8–6.3], P <0.001). At 24 months, the intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in quality of life (mean difference = 7.87, P < 0.001) and treatment satisfaction (mean difference = 6.70, P < 0.001). Conclusion WeChat-based remote care guidance was associated with better diabetic foot ulcer healing outcomes, particularly for moderate-severity ulcers and patients undergoing interventional procedures. Our findings also suggest associations between this approach and improvements in quality of life and treatment satisfaction.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: De Qin Chen
creator: Chao Yun Jiang
creator: Tian Hong Cai
creator: Rong Zhang
creator: Teng Hui Zhan
subject: Clinical Trials
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Nursing
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20624
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Chen et al.
abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of WeChat-based remote care guidance as a supplement to standard care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Our specific objectives were to compare healing rates, self-management behaviors, and patient satisfaction between the two groups, with a focus on identifying patient subgroups that might benefit most from this approach. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2021 and December 2022, with follow-up until December 2024. Among 131 eligible patients with diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner grades 1–4), 59 received WeChat -based guidance (intervention) while 72 received standard care (control). Primary outcomes included wound healing rate and time-to-healing. Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and treatment satisfaction (DTSQs) were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and disease severity indicators. Results The intervention group showed significantly higher healing rates (88.1% vs 63.9%, P = 0.001) and faster healing time (HR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.35–3.82], P = 0.002). The effect was particularly pronounced in Wagner grade 2–3 ulcers (HR = 14.3–34.2, P < 0.001) and patients receiving interventional procedures (HR = 3.4, 95% CI [1.8–6.3], P <0.001). At 24 months, the intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in quality of life (mean difference = 7.87, P < 0.001) and treatment satisfaction (mean difference = 6.70, P < 0.001). Conclusion WeChat-based remote care guidance was associated with better diabetic foot ulcer healing outcomes, particularly for moderate-severity ulcers and patients undergoing interventional procedures. Our findings also suggest associations between this approach and improvements in quality of life and treatment satisfaction.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2026) Association between WeChat-based remote care guidance and diabetic foot ulcer healing: a retrospective cohort study. PeerJ 14:e20624 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20624
date submitted: 2025-05-09
date accepted: 2025-11-30
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: De Qin
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Chao Yun
author list: Agent
  family name: Cai
  given name: Tian Hong
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Rong
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhan
  given name: Teng Hui
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20624
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: © 2026 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

Improving exercise motivation and physical fitness in college students through a long-term mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan program: a randomized controlled trial
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background While Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, its mindful components are often overlooked in traditional training. Mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan (MTCC) has been proposed to address this limitation, yet little research has explored its long-term impact on exercise motivation and physical fitness. This study extends previous findings by investigating the sustained effects of a 24-week MTCC intervention in improving physical and mental health outcomes among college students, with a focus on long-term sustainability and motivation maintenance that distinguishes it from our prior short-term research. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 college students assigned to either an MTCC group or a traditional TCC group. Seventy-one participants completed the allocated intervention, while nine participants dropped out for personal reasons. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. The MTCC program was delivered in two stages over 24 weekly sessions. The first stage introduced participants to mindfulness-enhanced Taiyi Mirrored-heart Chuan, emphasizing foundational postures and mindfulness principles. The second stage involved traditional TCC training to consolidate the skills and motivation gained during the first stage. Outcome measures, including exercise motivation, physical fitness, mindfulness and subjective well-being, were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that participants in the MTCC group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in all measured outcomes compared to the traditional TCC group. Specifically, the 24-week intervention showed larger effect sizes in physical fitness (η2p = 0.224) compared to our prior study (η2p = 0.033–0.210), highlighting the value of long-term intervention. Conclusion These findings highlight the long-term benefits of integrating mindfulness into TCC practice, particularly in …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ping Qu
creator: Xiaoqing Zhu
creator: Ting Zhu
creator: Hui Zhou
creator: Minghua Huang
creator: Feng Pan
creator: Xiaoyan Wang
creator: Jingsi Wen
creator: Yang Liu
creator: Yu Zhang
creator: Fangbin Li
creator: Yuyin Wang
subject: Mental Health
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20602
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Qu et al.
abstract: Background While Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, its mindful components are often overlooked in traditional training. Mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan (MTCC) has been proposed to address this limitation, yet little research has explored its long-term impact on exercise motivation and physical fitness. This study extends previous findings by investigating the sustained effects of a 24-week MTCC intervention in improving physical and mental health outcomes among college students, with a focus on long-term sustainability and motivation maintenance that distinguishes it from our prior short-term research. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 college students assigned to either an MTCC group or a traditional TCC group. Seventy-one participants completed the allocated intervention, while nine participants dropped out for personal reasons. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. The MTCC program was delivered in two stages over 24 weekly sessions. The first stage introduced participants to mindfulness-enhanced Taiyi Mirrored-heart Chuan, emphasizing foundational postures and mindfulness principles. The second stage involved traditional TCC training to consolidate the skills and motivation gained during the first stage. Outcome measures, including exercise motivation, physical fitness, mindfulness and subjective well-being, were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that participants in the MTCC group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in all measured outcomes compared to the traditional TCC group. Specifically, the 24-week intervention showed larger effect sizes in physical fitness (η2p = 0.224) compared to our prior study (η2p = 0.033–0.210), highlighting the value of long-term intervention. Conclusion These findings highlight the long-term benefits of integrating mindfulness into TCC practice, particularly in …
bibliographic citation: Qu et al. (2026) Improving exercise motivation and physical fitness in college students through a long-term mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan program: a randomized controlled trial. PeerJ 14:e20602 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20602
date submitted: 2025-08-29
date accepted: 2025-11-26
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Qu
  given name: Ping
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Xiaoqing
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Ting
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Hui
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Minghua
author list: Agent
  family name: Pan
  given name: Feng
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiaoyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Jingsi
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Fangbin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yuyin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20602
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: ©2026 Qu et al.
attribution name: Qu et al.

Beneath the canopy, beneath the ground: how surface microhabitats shape cave communities
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Ecosystem dynamics are shaped by spatial and temporal fluctuations in resource availability and species composition across the landscape. Caves exemplify this interconnectedness, as they rely on allochthonous inputs and surface climatic conditions, fostering communities composed of viable populations from both surface and subterranean habitats. Consequently, effective management and conservation of subterranean environments require the protection of adjacent surface ecosystems, a particularly urgent need in the Amazonian ferruginous hills, where mineral exploitation poses a significant threat. In this context, we investigated how vegetation cover and environmental variables influence the distribution of surface and subterranean fauna, and which factors should guide conservation strategies. We sampled six caves and ten epigean transects around each, encompassing both ombrophilous forest and canga (savanna over ferruginous crusts). Environmental structure variables were recorded for all transects. Significant differences were detected between forest and canga in terms of vegetation structure, microclimate, species richness, and community composition. Species most similar to those found in caves were associated with forest leaf litter, particularly in transects closest to cave entrances. Leaf litter depth emerged as a key factor facilitating faunal overlap between surface and subterranean habitats, likely by providing microhabitats with stable temperature and humidity. In contrast, faunal similarity in canga occurred only under specific conditions, namely, milder temperatures, deeper litter layers, and increased canopy cover. Our findings demonstrate that cave-dwelling species in Amazonian ferruginous systems also inhabit adjacent forest environments, which should be prioritized for conservation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marcus P. A. Oliveira
creator: Rodrigo L. Ferreira
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Entomology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20593
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Oliveira and Ferreira
abstract: Ecosystem dynamics are shaped by spatial and temporal fluctuations in resource availability and species composition across the landscape. Caves exemplify this interconnectedness, as they rely on allochthonous inputs and surface climatic conditions, fostering communities composed of viable populations from both surface and subterranean habitats. Consequently, effective management and conservation of subterranean environments require the protection of adjacent surface ecosystems, a particularly urgent need in the Amazonian ferruginous hills, where mineral exploitation poses a significant threat. In this context, we investigated how vegetation cover and environmental variables influence the distribution of surface and subterranean fauna, and which factors should guide conservation strategies. We sampled six caves and ten epigean transects around each, encompassing both ombrophilous forest and canga (savanna over ferruginous crusts). Environmental structure variables were recorded for all transects. Significant differences were detected between forest and canga in terms of vegetation structure, microclimate, species richness, and community composition. Species most similar to those found in caves were associated with forest leaf litter, particularly in transects closest to cave entrances. Leaf litter depth emerged as a key factor facilitating faunal overlap between surface and subterranean habitats, likely by providing microhabitats with stable temperature and humidity. In contrast, faunal similarity in canga occurred only under specific conditions, namely, milder temperatures, deeper litter layers, and increased canopy cover. Our findings demonstrate that cave-dwelling species in Amazonian ferruginous systems also inhabit adjacent forest environments, which should be prioritized for conservation.
bibliographic citation: Oliveira et al. (2026) Beneath the canopy, beneath the ground: how surface microhabitats shape cave communities. PeerJ 14:e20593 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20593
date submitted: 2025-06-13
date accepted: 2025-11-25
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Oliveira
  given name: Marcus P. A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ferreira
  given name: Rodrigo L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20593
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: © 2026 Oliveira and Ferreira
attribution name: Oliveira and Ferreira

Integrating cerebrovascular morphology and radiomics features for predicting stroke prognosis: a retrospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Accurately predicting 90-day Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is crucial for guiding treatment strategies. However, many existing mRS prediction methods rely on clinicians to manually evaluate relevant features, and the accuracy of feature quantification and model reproducibility still need to be further improved. This study proposes a machine learning framework that combines multimodal imaging features in order to predict 90-day mRS outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 86 AIS cases. Morphological features of the intracranial arterial and venous system were extracted from computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Additionally, radiomics features were obtained from the ischemic lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Recognizing the significance of the peri-infarct penumbra in stroke prognosis, radiomics features were also extracted from the annular region surrounding the ischemic lesion. Redundant features were eliminated using a sparse representation method, and a sparse representation-based classifier was developed to predict mRS outcomes. Model performance was validated using cross-validation and independent test. A total of 1,066 features, including 40 vascular morphological features and 1,026 radiomics features, were extracted. Both feature types demonstrated statistical significance (P < 0.05). Ultimately, 26 features were selected to construct the classification model. The proposed model achieved robust performance on the independent test set, with a classification accuracy of 0.828, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.942, sensitivity of 0.789, specificity of 0.900, positive predictive value of 0.937, and negative predictive value of 0.692. By integrating vascular morphological features with radiomics features from the ischemic lesion and peri-ischemic lesion regions in DWI, the proposed machine learning model provides accurate predictions of 90-day clinical outcomes for AIS, offering valuable …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Suying Pu
creator: Shunjun Li
creator: Jing Shao
creator: Jixian Lin
creator: Huanyin Li
creator: Jinjiang Shen
creator: Hui Zheng
subject: Cardiology
subject: Neurology
subject: Radiology and Medical Imaging
subject: Computational Science
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20588
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Pu et al.
abstract: Accurately predicting 90-day Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is crucial for guiding treatment strategies. However, many existing mRS prediction methods rely on clinicians to manually evaluate relevant features, and the accuracy of feature quantification and model reproducibility still need to be further improved. This study proposes a machine learning framework that combines multimodal imaging features in order to predict 90-day mRS outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 86 AIS cases. Morphological features of the intracranial arterial and venous system were extracted from computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Additionally, radiomics features were obtained from the ischemic lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Recognizing the significance of the peri-infarct penumbra in stroke prognosis, radiomics features were also extracted from the annular region surrounding the ischemic lesion. Redundant features were eliminated using a sparse representation method, and a sparse representation-based classifier was developed to predict mRS outcomes. Model performance was validated using cross-validation and independent test. A total of 1,066 features, including 40 vascular morphological features and 1,026 radiomics features, were extracted. Both feature types demonstrated statistical significance (P < 0.05). Ultimately, 26 features were selected to construct the classification model. The proposed model achieved robust performance on the independent test set, with a classification accuracy of 0.828, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.942, sensitivity of 0.789, specificity of 0.900, positive predictive value of 0.937, and negative predictive value of 0.692. By integrating vascular morphological features with radiomics features from the ischemic lesion and peri-ischemic lesion regions in DWI, the proposed machine learning model provides accurate predictions of 90-day clinical outcomes for AIS, offering valuable …
bibliographic citation: Pu et al. (2026) Integrating cerebrovascular morphology and radiomics features for predicting stroke prognosis: a retrospective study. PeerJ 14:e20588 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20588
date submitted: 2025-04-07
date accepted: 2025-11-24
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pu
  given name: Suying
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Shunjun
author list: Agent
  family name: Shao
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Jixian
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Huanyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Shen
  given name: Jinjiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Hui
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20588
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: ©2026 Pu et al.
attribution name: Pu et al.

Perceived social support as a mediator between left-behind experience and subjective well-being in Chinese college students
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Left-behind experience (LBE), where children are separated from one or both parents due to parental migration for work, has been shown to negatively affect college students’ psychological well-being. This study explores the relationship between LBE and subjective well-being (SWB) among college students and investigates whether perceived social support (PSS) mediates this relationship. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,228 undergraduate students across four Chinese universities. Participants completed the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWB). Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, Pearson correlations, and mediation analysis (using SPSS PROCESS), were performed to test the hypotheses. Results Students with LBE reported lower levels of both PSS and SWB compared to their non-LBE peers. PSS was found to fully mediate the relationship between LBE and SWB. Specifically, LBE negatively affected PSS, which in turn positively influenced SWB. The direct effect of LBE on SWB was non-significant, highlighting the importance of PSS in this relationship. Conclusions The study emphasizes that LBE itself does not directly dictate developmental outcomes. Instead, it influences college students through the reduction of perceived social support. These findings suggest that enhancing social support systems in universities and communities can significantly improve the well-being of college students with LBE, and this approach has potential implications beyond the Chinese context.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Biwei Zhou
creator: Lei Zhang
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20567
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Zhou and Zhang
abstract: Background Left-behind experience (LBE), where children are separated from one or both parents due to parental migration for work, has been shown to negatively affect college students’ psychological well-being. This study explores the relationship between LBE and subjective well-being (SWB) among college students and investigates whether perceived social support (PSS) mediates this relationship. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,228 undergraduate students across four Chinese universities. Participants completed the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWB). Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, Pearson correlations, and mediation analysis (using SPSS PROCESS), were performed to test the hypotheses. Results Students with LBE reported lower levels of both PSS and SWB compared to their non-LBE peers. PSS was found to fully mediate the relationship between LBE and SWB. Specifically, LBE negatively affected PSS, which in turn positively influenced SWB. The direct effect of LBE on SWB was non-significant, highlighting the importance of PSS in this relationship. Conclusions The study emphasizes that LBE itself does not directly dictate developmental outcomes. Instead, it influences college students through the reduction of perceived social support. These findings suggest that enhancing social support systems in universities and communities can significantly improve the well-being of college students with LBE, and this approach has potential implications beyond the Chinese context.
bibliographic citation: Zhou et al. (2026) Perceived social support as a mediator between left-behind experience and subjective well-being in Chinese college students. PeerJ 14:e20567 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20567
date submitted: 2025-06-05
date accepted: 2025-11-19
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Biwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20567
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: © 2026 Zhou and Zhang
attribution name: Zhou and Zhang

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of remimazolam for sedation during bronchoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of remimazolam vs. established sedatives (dexmedetomidine, propofol, midazolam) for sedation during bronchoscopy. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane Handbook recommendations (PROSPERO CRD420251071986). Databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Web of Science) were searched from inception to May 14, 2025. Included studies were RCTs comparing intravenous remimazolam to comparator sedatives in adults (≥18 years) undergoing bronchoscopy. Primary outcome was procedural success rate (completion without rescue sedation). Secondary outcomes included onset time, wake-up time, procedure duration, patient satisfaction, and adverse events (hypotension, hypoxemia, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension). Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2. Data were pooled using random-effects models, reporting mean differences (MD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results 13 RCTs (n = 2,002 patients) were included. Remimazolam demonstrated: Procedural success: Significantly higher success rates vs. dexmedetomidine (OR 2.87, 95% CI [1.13–7.29], P = 0.03; I2 = 62%) and vs. midazolam (OR 3.65, 95% CI [1.40–9.49], P = 0.008; absolute rates 77.1% vs. 3.6%). Comparable success rates to propofol (OR 0.55, 95% CI [0.11–2.61], P = 0.45; rates ~98% each). Onset/Recovery: Faster onset vs. dexmedetomidine (MD −2.01 min, 95% CI [−2.08 to −1.93], P < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Shorter wake-up time vs. dexmedetomidine (MD −1.84 min, 95% CI [−3.31 to −0.37], P = 0.01) and vs. midazolam (MD −4.72 min, 95% CI [−8.05 to −1.39], P = 0.005). Comparisons with propofol were inconclusive due to heterogeneity. Safety: Significantly lower risk of hypotension vs. propofol (OR 0.35, 95% CI [0.23–0.55], P < 0.00001) and hypoxemia vs. dexmedetomidine (OR 0.41, 95% CI [0.18–0.96], P = 0.04). Significantly higher risk of tachycardia vs.…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yupei Yuan
creator: Chunlei Chang
creator: Jing Zhang
creator: Liang Liang
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Emergency and Critical Care
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.20552
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2026 Yuan et al.
abstract: Objective To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of remimazolam vs. established sedatives (dexmedetomidine, propofol, midazolam) for sedation during bronchoscopy. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane Handbook recommendations (PROSPERO CRD420251071986). Databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Web of Science) were searched from inception to May 14, 2025. Included studies were RCTs comparing intravenous remimazolam to comparator sedatives in adults (≥18 years) undergoing bronchoscopy. Primary outcome was procedural success rate (completion without rescue sedation). Secondary outcomes included onset time, wake-up time, procedure duration, patient satisfaction, and adverse events (hypotension, hypoxemia, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension). Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2. Data were pooled using random-effects models, reporting mean differences (MD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results 13 RCTs (n = 2,002 patients) were included. Remimazolam demonstrated: Procedural success: Significantly higher success rates vs. dexmedetomidine (OR 2.87, 95% CI [1.13–7.29], P = 0.03; I2 = 62%) and vs. midazolam (OR 3.65, 95% CI [1.40–9.49], P = 0.008; absolute rates 77.1% vs. 3.6%). Comparable success rates to propofol (OR 0.55, 95% CI [0.11–2.61], P = 0.45; rates ~98% each). Onset/Recovery: Faster onset vs. dexmedetomidine (MD −2.01 min, 95% CI [−2.08 to −1.93], P < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Shorter wake-up time vs. dexmedetomidine (MD −1.84 min, 95% CI [−3.31 to −0.37], P = 0.01) and vs. midazolam (MD −4.72 min, 95% CI [−8.05 to −1.39], P = 0.005). Comparisons with propofol were inconclusive due to heterogeneity. Safety: Significantly lower risk of hypotension vs. propofol (OR 0.35, 95% CI [0.23–0.55], P < 0.00001) and hypoxemia vs. dexmedetomidine (OR 0.41, 95% CI [0.18–0.96], P = 0.04). Significantly higher risk of tachycardia vs.…
bibliographic citation: Yuan et al. (2026) Comparison of the safety and efficacy of remimazolam for sedation during bronchoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PeerJ 14:e20552 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20552
date submitted: 2025-07-13
date accepted: 2025-11-18
issued: 2026-01-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yuan
  given name: Yupei
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Chunlei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Liang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.20552
volume: 14
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2026-01-09
copyright: © 2026 Yuan et al.
attribution name: Yuan et al.

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