Melanella martarum sp. nov. (Gastropoda: Eulimidae): the first parasitic deep-sea snail reported for the Salas & Gomez Ridge
Eulimidae is a highly diverse family of gastropods that are often parasites of echinoderms. They are cosmopolitan and live from the intertidal to great depths. Despite its wide geographic and bathymetric distribution, no species of Eulimidae have been reported for the Salas & Gómez Ridge to date. In this study, we describe Melanella martarum sp. nov., which was collected during the EPIC oceanographic cruise onboard RV Mirai (JAMSTEC, Japan) in 2019. Seven specimens were collected with a modified Agassiz trawl on the summit of seamount “Pearl” (Zhemchuznaya) in the Salas & Gómez Ridge (25.59°S, 89.13°W) at 545 m depth. The morphology of M. martarum sp. nov. was compared with other Melanella species reported for the area, including Chile and Rapa Nui. DNA was extracted and partial sequences of the mitochondrial genes Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (COI) and 16S rDNA, and the nuclear gene Histone 3 (H3) were sequenced. Melanella martarum sp. nov. has morphological characteristics that separate it from other species of Melanella, such as the thickness and color of the shell, and the shape of the protoconch. In addition, M. martarum sp. nov. was genetically differentiated from other Melanella spp. sequences (uncorrected p distances from 18,1–8.6% in mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA to 3% in nuclear H3 sequences). Although there is not much molecular data available for Eulimidae, the phylogenetic analysis confirms the results obtained by morphology, placing the species found on the Salas & Gómez Ridge within the genus Melanella. The current study advances the understanding of the poorly known benthic fauna found on seamounts in the easternmost part of the Sala & Gómez ridge, a location distinguished by a high level of endemism.
de Souza et al. (2024) Melanella martarum sp. nov. (Gastropoda: Eulimidae): the first parasitic deep-sea snail reported for the Salas & Gomez Ridge. PeerJ 12:e16932 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16932
Discovery of a peculiar insular race of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) endemic to Yinggeling Mountain of Hainan, suggesting heterogeneous geological history of mountain formation of the island
A peculiar population of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) was discovered from the Yinggeling Mountain Mass of central Hainan. Its wing pattern and COI barcode data show considerable distinction from other geographic populations of R. nivea, including that of Bawangling, approximately only 40 km away and also located in Hainan. The p-distance value of the COI barcode between the Yinggeling and Bawangling populations was 1.1%, considerably higher than the value (0.6%) between Bawangling population and populations in eastern China, where the subspecific name howarthi Saigusa, 1993 applies. The population is regarded as a distinct subspecies ngiunmoiae Lo & Hsu, subsp. nov. The distinctness and high degree of COI haplotype diversity of R. nivea found in Hainan and Taiwan suggest continental islands may serve as glacial refugees for the butterfly and other organisms during previous glaciations, and the presence of the relict populations of montane butterflies like R. nivea may provide useful clues towards a better understanding of the geological history of mountain formation within islands.
Hsu et al. (2024) Discovery of a peculiar insular race of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) endemic to Yinggeling Mountain of Hainan, suggesting heterogeneous geological history of mountain formation of the island. PeerJ 12:e17172 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17172
Prognosis value of galectin-3 in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis
Background Accurate prediction and assessment of myocardial fibrosis (MF) and adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are crucial in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several studies indicate that galectin-3 (gal-3) as a promising prognostic predictor in patients with DCM. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant studies up to August 2023. The hazard ratios (HRs) of gal-3 for MACEs in DCM patients, and for MACEs in LGE(+) versus LGE(-) groups, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA SE 14.0 software. Results Seven studies, encompassing 945 patients, met the eligibility criteria. In DCM patients, abnormally elevated gal-3 levels were indicative of an increased MACEs risk (HR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.00–1.21], I2 = 65.7%, p = 0.008). Compared with the LGE(-) group, the level of gal-3 in LGE(+) group was higher (HR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.05–1.19], I2 = 31.4%, p = 0.233), and the combination of gal-3 and LGE significantly improved the prediction of MACEs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of all results. Conclusions This study’s findings suggest that elevated gal-3 levels significantly correlate with increased MACE risk in DCM, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. However, significant heterogeneity among studies necessitates further research to ascertain gal-3’s predictive and diagnostic value in DCM prognosis, particularly in conjunction with LGE. PROSPERO ID CRD42023471199.
Xiong et al. (2024) Prognosis value of galectin-3 in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e17201 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17201
The effects of COVID-19 on agriculture supply chain, food security, and environment: a review
COVID-19 has a deep impact on the economic, environmental, and social life of the global population. Particularly, it disturbed the entire agriculture supply chain due to a shortage of labor, travel restrictions, and changes in demand during lockdowns. Consequently, the world population faced food insecurity due to a reduction in food production and booming food prices. Low-income households face food security challenges because of limited income generation during the pandemic. Thus, there is a need to understand comprehensive strategies to meet the complex challenges faced by the food industry and marginalized people in developing countries. This research is intended to review the agricultural supply chain, global food security, and environmental dynamics of COVID-19 by exploring the most significant literature in this domain. Due to lockdowns and reduced industrial production, positive environmental effects are achieved through improved air and water quality and reduced noise pollution globally. However, negative environmental effects emerged due to increasing medical waste, packaging waste, and plastic pollution due to disruptions in recycling operations. There is extensive literature on the effects of COVID-19 on the environment and food security. This study is an effort to review the existing literature to understand the net effects of the pandemic on the environment and food security. The literature suggested adopting innovative policies and strategies to protect the global food supply chain and achieve economic recovery with environmental sustainability. For instance, food productivity should be increased by using modern agriculture technologies to ensure food security. The government should provide food to vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Trade restrictions should be removed for food trade to improve international collaboration for food security. On the environmental side, the government should increase recycling plants during the pandemic to control waste and plastic pollution.
Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Mahmood et al. (2024) The effects of COVID-19 on agriculture supply chain, food security, and environment: a review. PeerJ 12:e17281 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17281
Insights into soil nematode diversity and bacterial community of Thai jasmine rice rhizosphere from different paddy fields in Thailand
Globally, phytonematodes cause significant crop losses. Understanding the functions played by the plant rhizosphere soil microbiome during phytonematodes infection is crucial. This study examined the distribution of phytonematodes in the paddy fields of five provinces in Thailand, as well as determining the keystone microbial taxa in response to environmental factors that could be considered in the development of efficient biocontrol tactics in agriculture. The results demonstrated that Meloidogyne graminicola and Hirschmanniella spp. were the major and dominant phytonematodes distributed across the paddy fields of Thailand. Soil parameters (total P, Cu, Mg, and Zn) were the important factors affecting the abundance of both nematodes. Illumina next-generation sequencing demonstrated that the levels of bacterial diversity among all locations were not significantly different. The Acidobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Myxococcota, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobiota, Bacteroidota, Gemmatimonadota, and Desulfobacterota were the most abundant bacterial phyla observed at all sites. The number of classes of the Acidobacteriae, Clostridia, Bacilli, and Bacteroidia influenced the proportions of Hirschmanniella spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., and free-living nematodes in the sampling dirt, whereas the number of classes of the Polyangia and Actinobacteria affected the amounts of Pratylenchus spp. in both roots and soils. Soil organic matter, N, and Mn were the main factors that influenced the structure of the bacterial community. Correlations among rhizosphere microbiota, soil nematodes, and soil properties will be informative data in considering phytonematode management in a rice production system.
Nimnoi et al. (2024) Insights into soil nematode diversity and bacterial community of Thai jasmine rice rhizosphere from different paddy fields in Thailand. PeerJ 12:e17289 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17289
A comparison of the effects of two protocols of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on physical fitness in middle school students
Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of two concurrent training (CT) protocols on the physical fitness of middle school students. Method A 12-week quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was conducted with 157 middle school students (age = 12.48 ± 0.34, n = 90 females) divided into three groups: CT group A (CT-0h) received combined resistance training (RT) and aerobic training (AT) in each physical education session, CT group B (CT-48h) received RT and AT across two separate physical education classes 48 h apart, and a control group (Con) received no training. Training occurred twice a week. Test indicators included cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measured by estimated VO2max and 20 m shuttle run (laps), as well as muscle strength assessed through long jump, vertical jump, and handgrip strength. Results The intervention groups exhibited significant increases in estimated VO2max and muscle strength compared to their baseline values (p < 0.05). Both CT-0h and CT-48h groups demonstrated significant improvements in 20 m shuttle run (laps) (mean difference: 8.88 laps, p < 0.01; mean difference: 4.81 laps, p < 0.01, respectively), standing long jump (mean difference: 6.20 cm, p < 0.01; mean difference: 3.68 cm, p < 0.01, respectively), vertical jump (mean difference: 4.95 cm, p < 0.01; mean difference: 4.04 cm, p < 0.01, respectively), and handgrip strength (mean difference: 11.17 kg, p < 0.01; mean difference: 6.99 kg, p < 0.01, respectively). CT-0h group exhibited significantly increased estimated VO2max (mean difference: 1.47 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01) compared to the CT-48h group. Conclusion Both CT programs effectively improved adolescents’ physical fitness indicators. However, the program that integrated RT and AT within the same physical education class demonstrated superior enhancement in adolescents’ CRF.
Li et al. (2024) A comparison of the effects of two protocols of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on physical fitness in middle school students. PeerJ 12:e17294 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17294
Are women with endometriosis more likely to experience reduced physical performance compared to women without the condition?
Background Endometriosis is a condition of the female reproductive system associated with pelvic pain. Chronic pain can affect physical performance by limiting the functional activities, thus, it is hypothesized that women with endometriosis may also present decreased functional capacity, decreased strength, and mobility. The objective of this study is to compare physical performance in women with and without endometriosis. Methods This is a cross-sectional study composed of 115 women equally divided into two groups: the endometriosis group (EG), composed of women with a confirmed diagnosis of the disease by magnetic resonance imaging, and the comparator group (CG), consisting of women without suspicion of the disease. Physical performance (dependent variable) was assessed using hand dynamometry, the 6-min walk test (6MWT), gait speed, and the chair stands test. CG participants performed the tests during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-tests, and chi-square tests were used to describe and compare the groups. Multiple linear regression tested the associations adjusted for covariates (age, income, education, age at menarche, and body mass index). Results The EG had worse gait speed (mean difference: −0.11; 95% CI: [−0.18 to −0.04]), weaker grip strength (mean difference: −3.32; 95% CI: [−5.30 to −1.33]), shorter distance covered in the 6MWT (mean difference: −83.46; 95% CI: [−121.38 to −45.53]), and a lower number of repetitions in the chair stands test (mean difference: −8.44; 95% CI: [−10.64 to −6.25]) than the CG, even after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Grip strength, lower limb strength, mobility, and functional capacity were worse in women diagnosed with endometriosis. Women with endometriosis should be encouraged to engage in physical exercise, adopt healthy lifestyle habits, and participate in rehabilitation activities to control pain, with the aim of reducing functional impairments.
Silva et al. (2024) Are women with endometriosis more likely to experience reduced physical performance compared to women without the condition?. PeerJ 12:e16835 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16835
High frequency of transition to transversion ratio in the stem region of RNA secondary structure of untranslated region of SARS-CoV-2
Introduction The propensity of nucleotide bases to form pairs, causes folding and the formation of secondary structure in the RNA. Therefore, purine (R): pyrimidine (Y) base-pairing is vital to maintain uniform lateral dimension in RNA secondary structure. Transversions or base substitutions between R and Y bases, are more detrimental to the stability of RNA secondary structure, than transitions derived from substitutions between A and G or C and T. The study of transversion and transition base substitutions is important to understand evolutionary mechanisms of RNA secondary structure in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated (UTR) regions of SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we carried out comparative analysis of transition and transversion base substitutions in the stem and loop regions of RNA secondary structure of SARS-CoV-2. Methods We have considered the experimentally determined and well documented stem and loop regions of 5′ and 3′ UTR regions of SARS-CoV-2 for base substitution analysis. The secondary structure comprising of stem and loop regions were visualized using the RNAfold web server. The GISAID repository was used to extract base sequence alignment of the UTR regions. Python scripts were developed for comparative analysis of transversion and transition frequencies in the stem and the loop regions. Results The results of base substitution analysis revealed a higher transition (ti) to transversion (tv) ratio (ti/tv) in the stem region of UTR of RNA secondary structure of SARS-CoV-2 reported during the early stage of the pandemic. The higher ti/tv ratio in the stem region suggested the influence of secondary structure in selecting the pattern of base substitutions. This differential pattern of ti/tv values between stem and loop regions was not observed among the Delta and Omicron variants that dominated the later stage of the pandemic. It is noteworthy that the ti/tv values in the stem and loop regions were similar among the later dominant Delta and Omicron variant strains which is to be investigated to understand the rapid evolution and global adaptation of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Our findings implicate the lower frequency of transversions than the transitions in the stem regions of UTRs of SARS-CoV-2. The RNA secondary structures are associated with replication, translation, and packaging, further investigations are needed to understand these base substitutions across different variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Dash et al. (2024) High frequency of transition to transversion ratio in the stem region of RNA secondary structure of untranslated region of SARS-CoV-2. PeerJ 12:e16962 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16962
Shifts in dominance of benthic communities along a gradient of water temperature and turbidity in tropical coastal ecosystems
Tropical coastal benthic communities will change in species composition and relative dominance due to global (e.g., increasing water temperature) and local (e.g., increasing terrestrial influence due to land-based activity) stressors. This study aimed to gain insight into possible trajectories of coastal benthic assemblages in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, by studying coral reefs at varying distances from human activities and marine lakes with high turbidity in three temperature categories (<31 °C, 31–32 °C, and >32 °C). The benthic community diversity and relative coverage of major benthic groups were quantified via replicate photo transects. The composition of benthic assemblages varied significantly among the reef and marine lake habitats. The marine lakes <31 °C contained hard coral, crustose coralline algae (CCA), and turf algae with coverages similar to those found in the coral reefs (17.4–18.8% hard coral, 3.5–26.3% CCA, and 15–15.5% turf algae, respectively), while the higher temperature marine lakes (31–32 °C and >32 °C) did not harbor hard coral or CCA. Benthic composition in the reefs was significantly influenced by geographic distance among sites but not by human activity or depth. Benthic composition in the marine lakes appeared to be structured by temperature, salinity, and degree of connection to the adjacent sea. Our results suggest that beyond a certain temperature (>31 °C), benthic communities shift away from coral dominance, but new outcomes of assemblages can be highly distinct, with a possible varied dominance of macroalgae, benthic cyanobacterial mats, or filter feeders such as bivalves and tubeworms. This study illustrates the possible use of marine lake model systems to gain insight into shifts in the benthic community structure of tropical coastal ecosystems if hard corals are no longer dominant.
Aji et al. (2024) Shifts in dominance of benthic communities along a gradient of water temperature and turbidity in tropical coastal ecosystems. PeerJ 12:e17132 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17132
Incidence and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Immune disorders and autoantibodies has been noted in both primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether the two disorders are correlated is unclear. The lack of evidence on the incidence of and risk factors for SLE in primary ITP patients poses a challenge for prediction in clinical practice. Therefore, we conducted this study. Methods The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023403665). Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched for articles published from inception to 30 September 2023 on patients who were first diagnosed with primary ITP and subsequently developed into SLE. Furthermore, the risk factors were analyzed. Study quality was estimated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The statistical process was implemented using the R language. Results This systematic review included eight articles. The incidence of SLE during the follow-up after ITP diagnosis was 2.7% (95% CI [1.3–4.4%]), with an incidence of 4.6% (95% CI [1.6–8.6%]) in females and 0 (95% CI [0.00–0.4%]) in males. Older age (OR = 6.31; 95% CI [1.11–34.91]), positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) (OR = 6.64; 95% CI [1.40–31.50]), hypocomplementemia (OR = 8.33; 95% CI [1.62–42.91]), chronic ITP (OR = 24.67; 95% CI [3.14–100.00]), organ bleeding (OR = 13.67; 95% CI [2.44–76.69]), and female (OR = 20.50; 95% CI [4.94–84.90]) were risk factors for subsequent SLE in ITP patients. Conclusion Patients with primary ITP are at higher risk of SLE. Specific follow-up and prevention strategies should be tailored especially for older females with positive ANA, hypocomplementemia, or chronic ITP. In subsequent studies, we need to further investigate the risk factors and try to construct corresponding risk prediction models to develop specific prediction strategies for SLE.
Zhou et al. (2024) Incidence and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 12:e17152 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17152