Effectiveness of virtual reality on activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background No meta-analysis has been conducted on the effect of specific virtual reality (VR) treatment modes on activities of daily living (ADL) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Therefore, this study aimed to confirm whether VR therapy is effective in improving ADL in children with CP according to subgroups. Methodology Literature published in the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and PubMed was reviewed, and Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. A funnel plot was visually observed to confirm publication bias, supplemented with Egger’s regression test. Data analysis was performed using R version 4.2.1. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), treatment minutes per week, treatment period, age, and RoB. Results Eleven of 2,978 studies were included, and the overall effect size was 0.37 (95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.57). Regarding GMFCS, effect sizes of 0.41 and 0.33 was observed for the low- and high-function groups, respectively. For MACS, 0.27 and 0.43 were observed for the low and high-function groups. Regarding treatment minutes per week, the values were 0.22, 0.44, and 0.27 in the 1–100, 101–200, and 201–300 min groups, respectively. In the classification according to age, 0.29 was observed for school-age children and 0.98 for preschool children. Lastly, in the classification according to the RoB, 0.52, −0.01, and 0.23 indicated studies with low risk, some concern, and high risk, respectively. Conclusions The highest effect was observed when VR was applied within 6 weeks of 101-200 per week. Therefore, it is suggested that if the results of this review are applied to children with cerebral palsy in the community, it will be an effective intervention method. Systematic review registration PROPEROS (registration number CRD42023409801).
Han et al. (2023) Effectiveness of virtual reality on activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 11:e15964 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15964
Accumulation and transfer of polystyrene microplastics in Solanum nigrum seedlings
Microplastic (MP) pollution is lately receiving increasing attention owing to its harmful impact on terrestrial ecosystems. In this microcosm study, we assessed the uptake and transfer of MPs in Solanum nigrum seedlings exposed to 50 mg L–1 of 0.2-µm polystyrene (PS) beads for 30 d. Confocal laser scanning micrographs helped detect highly intense red fluorescence signals from PS-MP beads in S. nigrum root compared with the controls. Confocal images revealed that the PS beads were primarily distributed in the epidermis and xylem of roots and vascular systems of stems and leaves. Scanning electron microscopy showed that PS beads were scattered on the cell walls of the root xylem and leaf vascular system. Few PS beads were transferred from roots to stems and leaves via the vascular system following the transpiration stream. In conclusion, our findings showed that PS beads accumulated in S. nigrum roots and were transferred from the roots to the aerial parts.
Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Zhang et al. (2023) Accumulation and transfer of polystyrene microplastics in Solanum nigrum seedlings. PeerJ 11:e15967 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15967
Evaluation of the correlation of dorsal root ganglia and spinal nerves with clinical symptoms in patients with postherpetic neuralgia using magnetic resonance neurography
Purpose To assess changes of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal nerves in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and investigate the correlation between DRG morphology and clinical symptoms in PHN patients using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN). Methods In this case-control study, forty-nine lesioned DRG in 30 patients and 49 normal DRG in 30 well-matched (age, sex, height, weight) healthy controls were assessed. Clinical symptoms of patients (pain, allodynia, itching, and numbness) were assessed. MRN features (DRG volume (VDRG), the largest diameter (Dmax) of spinal nerves, signal intensity of DRG and spinal nerves (M-value)) were measured in all participants. Multilinear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the DRG morphology and clinical symptoms in patients. Results The volume and relative M-value of lesioned DRG in patients were significantly higher than those on the same side of healthy controls (p = 0.013, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean Dmax and relative M-value of spinal nerves on the lesioned side were significantly higher than those on the contralateral and same side of healthy controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0011, p = 0.0053, respectively). No difference was found between the mean VDRG of the lesioned and contralateral sides. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that disease duration was independent risk factor for the maximum rate of VDRG differences (p = 0.013). Conclusions DRG and spinal nerves on the lesioned side are swollen during PHN. Disease duration is an independent risk factor for morphological differences in the lesioned DRG of PHN patients. This study provides important guidance for individualized treatments of PHN.
Cao et al. (2023) Evaluation of the correlation of dorsal root ganglia and spinal nerves with clinical symptoms in patients with postherpetic neuralgia using magnetic resonance neurography. PeerJ 11:e15998 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15998
A multi-sensor array for detecting and analyzing nocturnal avian migration
Avian migration has fascinated humans for centuries. Insights into the lives of migrant birds are often elusive; however, recent, standalone technological innovations have revolutionized our understanding of this complex biological phenomenon. A future challenge for following these highly mobile animals is the necessity of bringing multiple technologies together to capture a more complete understanding of their movements. Here, we designed a proof-of-concept multi-sensor array consisting of two weather surveillance radars (WSRs), one local and one regional, an autonomous moon-watching sensor capable of detecting birds flying in front of the moon, and an autonomous recording unit (ARU) capable of recording avian nocturnal flight calls. We deployed this array at a field site in central Oklahoma on select nights in March, April, and May of 2021 and integrated data from this array with wind data corresponding to this site to examine the influence of wind on the movements of spring migrants aloft across these spring nights. We found that regional avian migration intensity is statistically significantly negatively correlated with wind velocity, in line with previous research. Furthermore, we found evidence suggesting that when faced with strong, southerly winds, migrants take advantage of these conditions by adjusting their flight direction by drifting. Importantly, we found that most of the migration intensities detected by the sensors were intercorrelated, except when this correlation could not be ascertained because we lacked the sample size to do so. This study demonstrates the potential for multi-sensor arrays to reveal the detailed ways in which avian migrants move in response to changing atmospheric conditions while in flight.
Strand et al. (2023) A multi-sensor array for detecting and analyzing nocturnal avian migration. PeerJ 11:e15622 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15622
Adrenal SGLT1 or SGLT2 as predictors of atherosclerosis under chronic stress based on a computer algorithm
Background Chronic stress promotes the development of atherosclerosis, causing disruptions in the body’s hormone levels and changes in the structural function of organs. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathological changes in the adrenal gland in a model of atherosclerosis under chronic stress and to verify the expression levels of Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1 and SGLT2 in the adrenal gland and their significance in the changes of adrenal gland. Methods The model mice were constructed by chronic unpredictable stress, high-fat diet, and Apoe-/- knockout, and they were tested behaviorally at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The state of the abdominal artery was examined by ultrasound, and the pathological changes of the aorta and adrenal glands were observed by histological methods, and the expression levels and distribution of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in the adrenal gland were observed and analyzed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The predictive value of SGLT1 and SGLT2 expression levels on intima-media thickness, internal diameter and adrenal abnormalities were verified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, support vector machine (SVM) and back-propagation (BP) neural network. Results The results showed that chronic stress mice had elevated expression levels of SGLT1 and SGLT2. The model mice developed thickening intima-media and smaller internal diameter in the aorta, and edema, reticular fiber rupture, increased adrenal glycogen content in the adrenal glands. More importantly, analysis of ROC, SVM and BP showed that SGLT1 and SGLT2 expression levels in the adrenal glands could predict the above changes in the aorta and were also sensitive and specific predictors of adrenal abnormalities. Conclusion SGLT1 and SGLT2 could be potential biomarkers of adrenal injury in atherosclerosis under chronic stress.
Li et al. (2023) Adrenal SGLT1 or SGLT2 as predictors of atherosclerosis under chronic stress based on a computer algorithm. PeerJ 11:e15647 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15647
RNA N6-methyladenosine reader IGF2BP3 promotes acute myeloid leukemia progression by controlling stabilization of EPOR mRNA
Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation epigenetically regulates normal hematopoiesis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, its potential value for prognosis remains elusive. Methods Analysis of the datasets downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype Tissue Expression databases revealed that the expression level of 20 regulators related to m6A RNA methylation differ between patients with AML and normal individuals. A prognostic risk model with three genes (YTHDF3, IGF2BP3, and HNRNPA2B1) was developed using univariate Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression methods. Results This established signature demonstrated good predictive efficacy with an area under the curve of 0.892 and 0.731 in the training cohort and the validation cohort, respectively. Patients with AML and an increased level of Insulin growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) expression exhibited a poor prognosis. IGF2BP3 knockdown significantly induced G0/G1 phase arrest and inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis, and/or differentiation. Further, the JAK/STAT pathway may be involved in the regulation of EPOR expression by IGF2BP3-mediated m6A RNA methylation. Conclusion These findings indicate that IGF2BP3 plays a carcinogenic role in AML, implying that it can predict patient survival and could be an effective strategy for AML therapy.
Fan et al. (2023) RNA N6-methyladenosine reader IGF2BP3 promotes acute myeloid leukemia progression by controlling stabilization of EPOR mRNA. PeerJ 11:e15706 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15706
Fishery-based adaption to climate change: the case of migratory species flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) in Taiwan Strait, Northwestern Pacific
The flathead gray mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) is a cosmopolitan fish that lives in warm and temperate zones over 42°N–42°S. It is a key fish species for industrial fishing off coastal Taiwan. Gray mullets enter the coastal waters of the southeastern Taiwan Strait (22°N–25°N) to spawn in winter and feed in the coastal and tidal waters of China (25°N–30°N). From 1986 to 2010, the annual catch of gray mullet decreased substantially and remained low. Although the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation are recognized to affect gray mullet migration, the increase in sea surface temperature may be the main cause of the aforementioned decrease. We explored how weather changes affect fishing conditions and patterns at the gray mullet fishing grounds in Taiwan’s coastal areas. Because of the decrease in gray mullet catches, the most common method for catching gray mullet in Taiwan’s coastal areas between 1990 and 2010 was the use of drift or trawl nets instead of two-boat purse-seiner fleets. Since 2012, purse-seiner fleets have become the most common method for catching gray mullet. This trend indicates that the local fishing industry is adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Lee et al. (2023) Fishery-based adaption to climate change: the case of migratory species flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) in Taiwan Strait, Northwestern Pacific. PeerJ 11:e15788 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15788
Carboxypeptidase E is a prognostic biomarker co-expressed with osteoblastic genes in osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents and children with a poor prognosis. The identification of prognostic genes lags far behind advancements in treatment. In this study, we identified differential genes using mRNA microarray analysis of five paired OS tissues. Hub genes, gene set enrichment analysis, and pathway analysis were performed to gain insight into the pathway alterations of OS. Prognostic genes were screened using the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) dataset, then overlapped with the differential gene dataset. The carboxypeptidase E (CPE) gene, found to be an independent risk factor, was further validated using RT-PCR and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Additionally, we explored the specific expression of CPE in OS tissues by reanalyzing single-cell genomics. Interestingly, CPE was found to be co-expressed with osteoblast lineage cell clusters that expressed RUNX2, SP7, SPP1, and IBSP marker genes in OS. These results suggest that CPE could serve as a prognostic factor in osteoblastic OS and should be further investigated as a potential therapeutic target.
Chen et al. (2023) Carboxypeptidase E is a prognostic biomarker co-expressed with osteoblastic genes in osteosarcoma. PeerJ 11:e15814 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15814
Identification and characterization of novel sesquiterpene synthases TPS9 and TPS12 from Aquilaria sinensis
Sesquiterpenes are characteristic components and important quality criterions for agarwood. Although sesquiterpenes are well-known to be biosynthesized by sesquiterpene synthases (TPSs), to date, only a few TPS genes involved in agarwood formation have been reported. Here, two new TPS genes, namely, TPS9 and TPS12, were isolated from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, and their functions were examined in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), with farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) as the substrate of the corresponding enzyme activities. They were both identified as a multiproduct enzymes. After incubation with FPP, TPS9 liberated β-farnesene and cis-sesquisabinene hydrate as main products, with cedrol and another unidentified sesquiterpene as minor products. TPS12 catalyzes the formation of β-farnesene, nerolidol, γ-eudesmol, and hinesol. After incubation with GPP, TPS9 generated citronellol and geraniol as main products, with seven minor products. TPS12 converted GPP into four monoterpenes, with citral as the main product, and three minor products. Both TPS9 and TPS12 showed much higher expression in the two major tissues emitting floral volatiles: flowers and agarwood. Further, RT-PCR analysis showed TPS9 and TPS12 are typical genes mainly expressed during later stages of stress response, which is better known than that of chromone derivatives. This study will advance our understanding of agarwood formation and provide a solid theoretical foundation for clarifying its mechanism in A. sinensis.
Yu et al. (2023) Identification and characterization of novel sesquiterpene synthases TPS9 and TPS12 from Aquilaria sinensis. PeerJ 11:e15818 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15818
Intestinal GPDH-1 regulates high glucose diet induced lifespan extension in aged worms
A high glucose diet (HGD) is associated with many metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, a HGD increases the oxidative stress resistance of young animals but shortens their lifespan. To investigate the role of HGD feeding on the aging of aged animals, we tested for oxidative stress resistance and changes in lifespan using C. elegans. We showed that a HGD extends the lifespan of aged worms that are dependent on oxidative stress resistance. Furthermore, we measured the lifespan of oxidative stress responding genes of HGD-fed worms. We found that gpdh-1 and col-92 are highly expressed in HGD and paraquat (PQ) treated worms. Further experiments indicated that intestinal gpdh-1 is essential for the HGD induced lifespan extension of aged worms. Our studies provide new insights into understanding the correlation between glucose metabolism, oxidative stress resistance, and aging.
Mo et al. (2023) Intestinal GPDH-1 regulates high glucose diet induced lifespan extension in aged worms. PeerJ 11:e15845 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15845