The welfare of captive cetaceans (i.e., dolphins, whales, and porpoises) has garnered increasing attention over the years as captivity presents significant challenges for these long-lived, highly intelligent, wide-ranging, and socially complex animals. The present paper provides an overview of the current state of captive cetacean welfare, examining captive facilities, recent improvements, persistent problems, and the clinical/behavioral/neural consequences of confinement. We specifically address both quantitative and qualitative aspects of captive space, sociocognitive factors, feeding, and welfare concerns such as stereotypies, physical health, reproduction, and lifespan. The contrast between the restrictive nature of captive environments and the dynamic, multifaceted characteristics of the natural environment highlights the difficulties faced by cetaceans in captivity. Despite efforts by some facilities to improve conditions, serious welfare challenges persist, raising critical ethical concerns about the well-being of captive cetaceans.
Marino et al. (2025) An update on captive cetacean welfare. PeerJ 13:e19878 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19878
Acute effect of percussion and foam roller massage on flexibility, reactive and explosive strength, and muscular endurance in young adult males: a crossover pilot study
Background Percussion massage (PM) using massage guns has become popular for enhancing flexibility, muscle performance, and recovery, but evidence on its efficacy is mixed. Foam rolling (FR) is another standard modality with similar claims. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of PM and FR on hamstring flexibility, specific muscle performance types (reactive and explosive strength), and muscle fatigue. Methods A randomized, controlled crossover design was employed with 18 physically active university students. Participants underwent three conditions: PM with Theragun, foam rolling, and a no-activation control (WA), each separated by a 4–5 day washout. Flexibility was assessed via the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test. Muscle performance was evaluated using a Single-Leg Reactive Strength Test (SLRST), a leg press explosive strength test, and a 30-s side hop test to assess endurance and fatigue. Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA and non-parametric tests where appropriate. Results PM significantly improved hamstring flexibility, demonstrated by lower AKE angles compared to FR and WA (p < 0.01), while no significant flexibility differences were found between FR and WA. No significant effects of any intervention were observed on reactive strength index, leg press power, or hop test performance. The reliability of the measurements was high (ICC > 0.84). Conclusions PM provides an immediate enhancement in hamstring flexibility superior to FR and no treatment, but none of the interventions acutely improve muscle reactive/explosive strength or endurance. These findings suggest that PM may be an effective pre-activity tool for improving flexibility. However, it should not be relied upon as an acute performance enhancer for physically active individuals. Further research on long-term and varied protocol effects is recommended.
Bartik et al. (2025) Acute effect of percussion and foam roller massage on flexibility, reactive and explosive strength, and muscular endurance in young adult males: a crossover pilot study. PeerJ 13:e20304 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20304
Clinical value of serum HBV RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B during antiviral therapy
Background The correlation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA, HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during antiviral treatment and the clinical value of HBV RNA for virological response and drug discontinuance, are still unknown. This study was to investigate the clinical significance and predicting ability of HBV RNA for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion (SR) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving antiviral therapy. Methods A total of 138 patients with CHB who were newly diagnosed from January 2023 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the SR group and the non-seroconversion (NSR) group according to HBeAg SR in baseline to the 60th week. The dynamic changes and correlations between HBV RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg was analyzed between the two groups and the predictive values of them for HBeAg SR were calculated. Results The 60th week HBeAg SR rate was 23.9% (33/138), patients treated with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) had higher SR rate than others (P < 0.001). After antiviral therapy, the serum HBV RNA levels of SR group decreased significantly than in the NSR group. Baseline HBV RNA levels were significantly correlated with HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg in both groups, but weakened after antiviral therapy. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed that the serum HBV RNA levels at the 12th week was an independent predictor of HBeAg SR. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the serum HBV RNA levels at the 12th week had a higher value (AUROC = 0.8039, 95% CI [0.691–0.917]). The cut off value of HBV RNA level with 5.68 lg copies/ml at the 12th week had a sensitivity of 76.47% and a specificity of 72.55% for predicting HBeAg SR. Conclusions Baseline HBV RNA levels in CHB patients exhibited a significantly positive correlation with HBV DNA and HBsAg levels, this correlation weakened after antiviral therapy. The serum HBV RNA level at the 12th week could serve as an early predictor for the HBeAg SR in patients with CHB. The CHB patients treated with antiviral drug TAF showed a higher HBeAg SR rate compared to ETV and TDF.
Zhang et al. (2025) Clinical value of serum HBV RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B during antiviral therapy. PeerJ 13:e20275 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20275
Transcriptome analysis of the differences between two kinds of Cassia nomame germplasm resources
Cassia nomame belongs to the genus Cassia of the leguminous Cassia subfamily. It is used as a traditional wild Chinese herbal medicine with a long history and rich medicinal use. However, owing to limited germplasm resources and research methods, there is still a lack of understanding of C. nomame at the molecular level, especially the differences between various cultivars and secondary metabolic regulatory genes. In this study, we performed de novo transcriptome assembly of two C. nomame cultivars with different characteristics using transcriptome method. A total of 56,136 unigenes were obtained, of which 34,783 genes were annotated, including 7,309 candidate transcription factors (TFs) of 57 TF families. Through differential expression analysis, we identified 4,696 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The results of Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in secondary metabolite biosynthetic process, transcriptional regulation, response to hormone, growth, and development. TF family analysis and verification experiments showed that these TFs were significantly different expressed in the two C. nomame germplasm resources, which suggested that they might be important genes affecting the traits of C. nomame. In conclusion, the results of this study are significant for mining C. nomame germplasm resources and enhancing our understanding of the formation of different germplasm resources and medicinal ingredients mining.
Li et al. (2025) Transcriptome analysis of the differences between two kinds of Cassia nomame germplasm resources. PeerJ 13:e20261 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20261
Two new sympatric species of Phrynopus (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Elfin Forests of Cordillera de Yanachaga in central Peru
We describe two new sympatric species of the terrestrial-breeding genus Phrynopus (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the elfin forest at 3,280 m a.s.l. in the Cordillera de Yanachaga, Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, central Peru. Integrating molecular and morphological evidence, we aim to confirm their recognition as new species and assess their generic placement and relationships within Phrynopus. We infer a Maximum-Likelihood phylogeny from five loci (12S, 16S, COI, RAG1, TYR; 4,271 bp of concatenated mtDNA and nuDNA fragments) for 97 terminals, including three representing the new taxa. Phrynopus was recovered as monophyletic, and both new species were placed within a strongly supported subclade that includes P. apumantarum, P. badius, P. barthlenae, P. bracki, P. bufoides, P. horstpauli, P. inti, P. kauneorum, P. miroslawae, P. pesantesi, P. sancristobali, P. tautzorum, and Phrynopus sp. The two new species are not recovered as close sisters but as distinct lineages within this subclade. One of the new species is medium-sized, distinguished by small tubercles on the upper eyelids, tubercles on the heel, a row of tubercles along the outer edge of the tarsus, and red coloration on the groin, thighs, and concealed surfaces of the shanks. The other new species lacks heel and tarsal tubercles and is characterized by its striking black coloration on the groin and hidden surfaces of the hind limbs. Both new species are currently known only from the type locality, where they occur in sympatry with P. miroslawae and P. tribulosus. The discovery of these narrowly distributed species in the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, coupled with habitat alteration near the boundaries of the park, highlights the urgent need for effective protection of elfin-forest habitats in the Cordillera de Yanachaga.
Venegas et al. (2025) Two new sympatric species of Phrynopus (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Elfin Forests of Cordillera de Yanachaga in central Peru. PeerJ 13:e20250 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20250
Size and body condition drive the energetic cost of a baleen whale foraging in shallow habitat
Energy expenditure strongly influences an animal’s foraging decisions and activity budgets. Diving animals especially need to be energetically efficient because they exercise while oxygen is limited. By estimating the energetics of behavior, we can better understand the cascading effects of individual responses to disturbance and environmental change. Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales use a variety of foraging tactics in shallow habitats (<20 m), which present challenges associated with maneuverability and buoyancy. We use a seven-year dataset of concurrent individual behavior, morphology, and breath-by-breath respiration data collected via drone paired with two years of tri-axial accelerometry tag data to study patterns and correlates of respiration. We assess how several respiration metrics (acting as proxies for oxygen consumption) are associated with individual length, body condition and behavior (forage and travel), and test whether respiration reflects recovery from, or anticipation of, a foraging dive using Bayesian linear mixed effects models. Given model results, we simulated daily field metabolic rate (FMR) to explore how diving costs may affect energetics at a daily scale. We find that respiration reflects recovery from the preceding dive and that dives are more energetically expensive for longer, more buoyant whales. Longer dives and the most common foraging tactics also incur higher energetic costs. FMR simulations show that individual size and dive duration have the largest effects on energy expenditure. Thus, PCFG gray whale foraging success may be limited by the energetic costs associated with size and buoyancy, highlighting the costs of a shallow habitat foraging niche.
Bird et al. (2025) Size and body condition drive the energetic cost of a baleen whale foraging in shallow habitat. PeerJ 13:e20247 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20247
Fairness-based techniques to optimize vaccine allocation among migrants during pandemics: a scoping review
Introduction Migrants face significant barriers to vaccination due to disparities in access and coverage, necessitating fairness-based strategies and inclusive healthcare infrastructure to ensure equitable immunization, especially during pandemics. This study investigates fairness-based vaccination strategies, focusing on migrant vaccination status during pandemics, and migrant specific vaccine distribution models. Methods The authors employed established scoping review methods to explore the research question: How have fairness-based strategies for vaccine allocation affected vaccination coverage among migrants during pandemics in urban and rural areas? A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA and expectation, client group, location, impact, professionals, and service (ECLIPSE) guidelines, utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Checklist for Qualitative Research. The review involved a comprehensive database search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Ovid MedLine. The eligibility criteria for publications included at least one of the following aspects related to migrants: access to vaccines or frequency of vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine modeling and optimization approaches, or discussions grounded in principles of fairness. Searches were limited to the articles published in English between 2000-2022. Initially, 5,653 articles were identified, which were reduced to 305 after title screening. Following abstract screening, 19 articles meeting the inclusion criteria—focused on vaccination modeling, allocation, fairness optimization, and behaviors or attitudes in migrant populations—were selected for full-text evaluation. Results Vaccination rates among migrants range from 42.7% to 87%, which are lower compared to the host population. Although the willingness to vaccinate is around 70%, significant barriers such as language obstacles, lack of access to healthcare services, and insufficient information remain critical challenges. While 19 of the studies defined fairness through the use of health services, four of them discussed it on community participation, and two employed modeling approaches. Various techniques, including community involvement, digital health messages and national refugee centers, have been employed to allocate vaccines fairly and consistently. The concept of equity has been addressed inconsistently across studies, and there is insufficient data to develop a fair vaccine distribution strategy for migrant populations. Conclusion This study highlights the following: (1) the challenges migrants face, including limited access to healthcare, language barriers and poor living conditions, which complicate equitable vaccine allocation; (2) the lack of specific, systematic national vaccine allocation programs targeting migrants; and (3) the need for a targeted, fairness-based approach, along with further research on national policies and vaccine delivery models that prioritize migrants and address their unique vulnerabilities.
Şimşek et al. (2025) Fairness-based techniques to optimize vaccine allocation among migrants during pandemics: a scoping review. PeerJ 13:e20208 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20208
Detecting temporal asymmetry after epilepsy surgery: a 3D MRI-based comparative outcome study of clinicians and lay observers
Background Resective surgery through pterional approach is an effective treatment for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, but it may lead to temporal asymmetry in the craniofacial region. Nonetheless, recent systematic reviews showed that there is no gold standard method for the discrimination of a clinically visible abnormal temporal asymmetry from a normal fluctuating asymmetry. This study compares the ability of trained and untrained observers to detect temporal asymmetry and establishes a threshold for clinically detecting abnormal asymmetry. Methods Standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived three-dimensional (3D) frontal views of adult patients who underwent temporal lobe epilepsy surgery were used to create a continuum spectrum of preoperative (n = 96) and 12-month postoperative (n = 96) craniofacial images. A panel of 32 untrained lay observers (family members and laypeople) and 32 trained clinicians (surgeons and clinical specialists) independently appraised randomly displayed 3D craniofacial soft-tissue images to assess the presence or absence of temporal asymmetry. Objective linear quantifications of temporal thickness differences were obtained from each preoperative and postoperative MRI scan to identify a potential threshold for subjective asymmetry detection. Temporal asymmetry was further categorized into severity levels I to IV based on incremental asymmetry values. Results The temporal thickness difference was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in postoperative images (18.3% ± 9.6%) compared to preoperative images (4.6% ± 1.9%). As temporal asymmetry increased from Level I to IV, a significantly higher proportion of 3D craniofacial images were perceived as asymmetrical by all observer categories (P < 0.001). Both trained clinicians and untrained observers—including surgeons, clinical specialists, family members, and laypeople—demonstrated increased (P < 0.001) detection rates with increasing asymmetry severity. A temporal thickness difference exceeding 10% was clinically detected with over 90% accuracy across all observer categories (P < 0.001), establishing a 10% threshold for the clinical perception of temporal asymmetry.
Denadai et al. (2025) Detecting temporal asymmetry after epilepsy surgery: a 3D MRI-based comparative outcome study of clinicians and lay observers. PeerJ 13:e20201 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20201
Optimizing target-to-total DNA ratio in eDNA studies: effects of sampling, preservation, and extraction methods on single-species detection
There are many decisions to be made when sampling for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, whether using a targeted, single-species assay or community-based metabarcoding. Of the entire workflow from sampling water to bioinformatic analyses, the first steps in the process of collecting water, filtering it, and preserving the filter membranes represent major decision points upon which the success of downstream processes depend. Though many previous studies have compared water volume filtered, filter pore size, and preservation and extraction methods, the conclusions are often that they produce different results, but it is unclear which is the optimal approach for a given purpose. Here, rather than provide yet another methods comparison paper, we provide a framework for how to make informed decisions from a methods comparison and, importantly, how to combine data collected via different methodological choices. We investigate (1) the volume of water filtered and the filter pore size and (2) the preservation method and extraction method of samples with a specific lens on how these choices impact the detection of a single targeted species (Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, via quantitative PCR (qPCR)), although in principle these findings apply to single-species assays more generally. We find that larger pore size filters (5 µm vs. 1 µm) and larger volumes of water (3 L vs. 1 L) maximize the ratio of amplifiable target DNA to total DNA without compromising the absolute detection of target. We also find that maximizing total DNA yield during extraction (phenol chloroform vs. two commercial kits) does not always increase target detection likely due to the concentration of inhibitors and co-extraction of off-target DNA. We also comment on variation including technical and biological variability between replicates, finding that by homogenizing source water before filtering removes much of the biological variation. Finally, we present a statistical model that allows for inclusion of data from samples collected and processed in different ways, enabling researchers to change protocols or include data from other field sampling efforts, thereby opening up more possibilities to extend datasets and analyses.
Andruszkiewicz Allan et al. (2025) Optimizing target-to-total DNA ratio in eDNA studies: effects of sampling, preservation, and extraction methods on single-species detection. PeerJ 13:e20127 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20127
Age-related variation in the anthropometric profiles, body composition and functional capacities of female soccer players
This study aimed to identify and compare the basic anthropometric characteristics, physical performance, and game-related skills of female soccer players across different age groups, including under-15 (U15), U17, U19, and first teams. Also, it aimed to account for performance tests variability through anthropometric features. A total of 56 athletes participated in a comprehensive test battery assessing anthropometric and bioelectrical parameters, air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and physical performance (Countermovement Jump Test (CMJ) and 30-15IFT). The older groups outperformed the younger players in physical and physiological characteristics. Significant differences were observed in body dimensions and composition, with the first team showing higher fat-free mass (FFM) than U15 and U17 players. Skinfold thickness was consistent across groups. The first team also exhibited the highest levels of power and speed, while U15 athletes showed the lowest CMJ. General linear models by stepwise procedures identified training hours as the main predictor for CMJ and speed, with each additional hour of training improving CMJ by 1 cm and speed by 1 km/h. Additionally, a decrease in skinfold thickness predicted improved power. A multidimensional approach, including anthropometric, bioelectrical, and physical performance data, provides essential insights for supporting athletic development in young female soccer players and can inform tailored training strategies to enhance their physical performance.
Toselli et al. (2025) Age-related variation in the anthropometric profiles, body composition and functional capacities of female soccer players. PeerJ 13:e20096 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20096