Barriers to cervical cancer prevention and triage strategies: a study of knowledge, attitudes, and p16/Ki-67 dual-staining utility among high-risk women in Tuoli and Fuyun counties, Xinjiang
Objective To investigate cervical cancer screening knowledge, attitudes, and practices among high-risk women in remote western China, and to identify socioeconomic and systemic barriers influencing screening participation. Additionally, to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of p16 staining versus p16/Ki-67 dual-staining immunocytochemistry in triaging women with cytological abnormalities or HPV-positive results, aiming to reduce unnecessary colposcopy referrals in resource-limited settings. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 260 women (aged 20–65 years) with cytological abnormalities or HPV-positive results from two remote counties in Xinjiang Province (January–December 2023). Participants completed structured questionnaires assessing cervical cancer knowledge, screening attitudes, and healthcare access. Cervical specimens collected via liquid-based cytology underwent parallel testing: conventional cytology, p16 staining, and p16/Ki-67 dual-staining, with all analyses performed by blinded pathologists. Results Among 260 high-risk women in Xinjiang, cervical cancer awareness (67.31%, 95% CI [61.50–72.90]) and screening rates (56.15%, 95% CI [50.23–62.17]) remained suboptimal. Multivariable analyses revealed significant disparities: college-educated women had 7.58-fold higher odds of awareness (95% CI [2.32–24.75]) compared to those with primary education, while public servants showed the strongest employment-based association (aOR = 11.23, 95% CI [2.64–47.83]). Mediation analysis demonstrated that health awareness fully mediated the effect of education (128.8% mediation) and nearly fully mediated the effect of employment (93.8%). Notably, 93.98% (95% CI [90.85–96.27]) expressed willingness to rescreen, and 82.95% (95% CI [78.33–86.84]) supported HPV vaccination. Biomarker analysis showed that p16/Ki-67 dual-staining positivity increased progressively with lesion severity (P < 0.001). Conclusion This study reveals suboptimal cervical cancer knowledge and screening rates among women in Xinjiang, with socioeconomic disparities—particularly in education and employment—primarily mediated through health awareness. The findings support integrated interventions, including physician-led education, digital health communication for media-dependent populations, simplified visual materials for less-educated women, and active linkage to national screening programs for unemployed populations. High rescreening willingness and parental acceptance of HPV vaccination indicate strong potential for intervention. p16 staining and p16/Ki-67 dual-staining show promise for triage in resource-limited settings. These findings highlight the need for tailored strategies to enhance cervical cancer prevention in western China, with further research needed to address current limitations.
Tali et al. (2025) Barriers to cervical cancer prevention and triage strategies: a study of knowledge, attitudes, and p16/Ki-67 dual-staining utility among high-risk women in Tuoli and Fuyun counties, Xinjiang. PeerJ 13:e20100 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20100
Two new free-living marine species of Desmodorella (Nematoda: Desmodoridae) from the continental shelf of northeastern Brazil, with an emended generic diagnosis and a dichotomous key to the species
Two new species of Desmodorella are described from sediment samples collected on the continental shelf of northeastern Brazil. Although the occurrence of the genus has been previously reported in this region, the present study provides the first formal descriptions of Desmodorella species based on material collected from the Brazilian coast. Desmodorella cornuta sp. nov. is characterized by a protuberant horn-shaped cuticular projection positioned dorsally in the pharyngeal region, a unique characteristic among species of the genus. Desmodorella parabalteata sp. nov. is distinguished from other species by the presence of a cephalic capsule and cuticle ornamented with vacuoles, multispiral amphidial fovea, longitudinal rows of ridges that are often indistinct under light microscopy, two pairs of lateral rows of spines that are more prominent than the remaining rows, and thin, nearly straight spicules with a slightly swollen proximal end and lacking a capitulum. An emended diagnosis of the genus and a dichotomous key to species are provided.
Manoel et al. (2025) Two new free-living marine species of Desmodorella (Nematoda: Desmodoridae) from the continental shelf of northeastern Brazil, with an emended generic diagnosis and a dichotomous key to the species. PeerJ 13:e20094 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20094
Novel monoclonal antibodies for immunodetection of AmpC β-lactamases
Background Accurate and easy-to-perform assays for the detection of antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates producing AmpC β-lactamases are epidemiologically relevant, leading to more effective use of antibiotics and a comprehensive understanding of β-lactamase prevalence. We describe novel monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against CMY β-lactamases and their application in immunoassays for the detection of CMY-producing bacterial isolates. Methods Recombinant CMY-34 was expressed in Escherichia coli and used as an immunogen for MAb generation by hybridoma technology. Selected CMY-34-specific MAbs were comprehensively characterized by various immunoassays, computational analysis, and sequencing of their variable domains. To prove MAb reactivity with CMY β-lactamases, the antibodies were tested with CMY-producing bacterial isolates. For this purpose, the MAbs were applied in sandwich-type assays, such as sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), and two-photon excitation (TPX) assay for immunodetection of CMY enzymes. Results Two high-affinity MAbs raised against recombinant CMY-34 were characterized in detail. Both MAbs recognized CMY-34 β-lactamase in the Citrobacter portucalensis isolate. The analysis of MAb epitopes revealed their sequence homology among the members of the CMY family, suggesting their potential broad reactivity. Comprehensively characterized MAbs were successfully applied in sandwich ELISA and two rapid immunoassay formats that were tested with CMY-positive bacterial isolates. MAb-based immunoassays detected all analyzed CMY-positive isolates producing CMY-2, CMY-4, CMY-6, CMY-16, and CMY-34 β-lactamases. Conclusion Novel MAbs raised against CMY-34 recognize common epitopes of CMY β-lactamases and can be applied for immunodetection of CMY β-lactamases in bacterial isolates.
Bielskė et al. (2025) Novel monoclonal antibodies for immunodetection of AmpC β-lactamases. PeerJ 13:e20036 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20036
Aquatic sloths (Thalassocnus) from the Miocene of Chile and the evolution of marine mammal herbivory in the Pacific Ocean
The evolution of marine mammals in South America includes unique and extinct lineages found nowhere else in the world, such as the walrus-convergent whale Odobenocetops and multiple aquatic sloth species belonging to the genus Thalassocnus. Aquatic sloths have been collected from Mio-Pliocene marine deposits in Peru and Chile, and terrestrial deposits in Argentina. In Chile, these occurrences range over 800 km across several basins from the Bahía Inglesa, Coquimbo, and Horcón formations. Here we report aquatic sloth material belonging to the species Thalassocnus natans from a new locality, Norte Bahía Caldera from the Bahía Inglesa Formation in the Atacama Region. We find multiple lines of evidence to support a late Miocene age for this material, which consists of a nearly complete skeleton, including cranial and postcranial remains and associated mandible and postcranial elements that represent the most complete Thalassocnus specimens reported yet from Chile. Based on this finding, we review the stratigraphic origin and geologic age of Thalassocnus species from the western coast of South America and determine that remains from the Upper Pliocene of central Chile represent the youngest known record of this genus to date. Our review also suggests that overlapping stratigraphic ranges for type material of T. antiquus with both T. natans and T. littoralis weakens the proposed argument for Thalassocnus evolution through anagenesis succession. Finally, in the context of Thalassocnus material from Chile and Peru, including other marine mammal herbivores (e.g., sirenians), we demonstrate that one of the most unusual features of this guild is that South American marine mammal herbivores did not reach the body sizes of their analogous counterparts (i.e., desmostylians and sirenians) in the North Pacific. This observation builds on other paleontological evidence about the unusual features of the Peruvian biotic province during the Neogene.
Valenzuela-Toro et al. (2025) Aquatic sloths (Thalassocnus) from the Miocene of Chile and the evolution of marine mammal herbivory in the Pacific Ocean. PeerJ 13:e19897 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19897
Effects of shading stress on endogenous hormone levels in Eleutherococcus giraldii: hormonal dynamics and growth strategy analysis
Background Eleutherococcus giraldii (E. giraldii) is a quintessential traditional Chinese medicinal plant with significant developmental potential. Its growth and development are highly responsive to environmental factors, particularly light conditions. However, the endogenous hormonal changes in E. giraldii under shading stress remain unclear, and its adaptive growth strategies require further investigation. Methods Experimental groups with varying light transmittance (29.12%, 39.68%, and 100%) were established using shade nets, comprising moderate shading, light shading, and control groups. The endogenous hormone contents in apical and lateral leaves of E. giraldii were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis and graphical presentations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and Origin 2022 software. Results Shading treatment consistently promoted the accumulation of isopentenyl adenine nucleoside (iPA), zeatin riboside (ZR), gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), and abscisic acid (ABA) in both apical and lateral leaves of E. giraldii, while exhibiting differential effects on indoleacetic acid (IAA)-enhancing its content in lateral leaves but reducing it in apical leaves. Quantitative analysis revealed that moderate shading induced: (1) maximal increases in iPA, ZR, and GA3 levels in apical leaves (P < 0.05); (2) maximal increases in ABA, iPA, ZR, and GA3 concentrations as well as the ABA/ZR ratio in lateral leaves; (3) maximal reductions in the ABA/iPA and ABA/GA3 ratios in apical leaves along with the ABA/GA3 ratio in lateral leaves; (4) decreased ABA/IAA and ABA/ZR in apical leaves coupled with increased ABA/iPA in lateral leaves. Under light shading conditions, the most substantial changes included: (1) greatest ABA enhancement in apical leaves and IAA accumulation in lateral leaves; (2) most pronounced declines in IAA content (apical leaves) and ABA/IAA ratio (lateral leaves); (3) elevated ABA/IAA and ABA/ZR ratios in apical leaves with concurrent reduction of ABA/iPA in lateral leaves. Importantly, comprehensive correlation analysis demonstrated positive correlations among all examined hormones (ABA, IAA, iPA, ZR, and GA3) in both leaf types, indicating systemic hormonal coordination during shade adaptation. Conclusion Shading stress significantly restructured endogenous hormone profiles and their homeostasis in E. giraldii. Under moderate shading conditions, E. giraldii likely adopted a conservative strategy characterized by “apical leaf growth promotion coupled with lateral leaf growth restriction”, whereas mild shading induced an expansive strategy featuring “apical leaf growth inhibition coordinated with moderate lateral leaf expansion”. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing cultivation protocols and offer new insights into phytohormonal dynamics in shrubs under light limitation.
Huang et al. (2025) Effects of shading stress on endogenous hormone levels in Eleutherococcus giraldii: hormonal dynamics and growth strategy analysis. PeerJ 13:e20135 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20135
Electroantennogram and Olfactory behavioral responses of Trabala vishnou gigantina (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) to herbivore induced Hippophae rhamnoides leaf volatiles
The moth Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang, 1978 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), a leaf-eating pest, had a severe outbreak in the sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae) plantation in North China. This study aims to investigate the influence of volatiles emitted by T. vishnou gigantina-infested H. rhamnoides on the behavioral responses of T. vishnou gigantina, laying a basis for the development of plant-based elicitors. The chemical basis of herbivore insect host dynamics between these species were investigated, providing information for herbivore insect control methods. After identifying the compounds produced by the differences between healthy and infested plants, six critical volatile compounds were identified to explore their attractions to T. vishnou gigantina imagoes by using electroantennogram (EAG) and olfactory behavioral response experiments. The results showed that the EAG responses of T. vishnou gigantina imagoes did not only vary in these six different herbivore-infested volatiles, but also between different concentrations of the same volatile. The EAG responses to the herbivore-infested volatiles peaked at a stimulus concentration of 100 µg/µL, with Hexyl 2-methyl butyrate having the highest EAG response. The test results of olfactory behavioral responses had significant differences in the olfactory behavioral responses of female and male imagoes to the six herbivore-infested volatiles. Hexyl 2-methyl butyrate had the strongest attraction to female and male imagoes, followed by 2-ethylhexanol and longifolene. 2-ethylhexanol had a significant attraction to female imagoes, while there was no significant attraction to males.
Liu et al. (2025) Electroantennogram and Olfactory behavioral responses of Trabala vishnou gigantina (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) to herbivore induced Hippophae rhamnoides leaf volatiles. PeerJ 13:e20124 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20124
Establishment and evaluation of a circAdpgk-0001 knockdown method using CRISPR–Cas13d RNA-targeting technology
Background The small interfering RNA (siRNA) method has been used to knock down circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, issues such as low efficiency and off-target effects have become increasingly recognized. Recent studies have demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas13 can specifically target and cleave RNA. In this study, we established a CRISPR-Cas13d-based RNA-targeting method to specifically knock down circRNAs, such as circAdpgk-0001, and compared its performance with the siRNA method. Methods Four clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) RNAs (crRNAs) of different nucleotide lengths spanning the back-splicing junction (BSJ) of circAdpgk-0001 were designed. A CRISPR-RfxCas13d plasmid capable of specifically cleaving circAdpgk-0001 was constructed and transfected into the JS-1 cell line. Knockdown efficiency was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and compared with that of the siRNA method. The expression of activation-related factors alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I in JS-1 cells was further evaluated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results CRISPR-Cas13d with a 24-nucleotide crRNA showed the highest knockdown efficiency (∼50%). After further optimization, the knockdown efficiency of CRISPR-Cas13d reached 70%, significantly higher than that of the siRNA method (40%). Knockdown of circAdpgk-0001 using Cas13d reduced the expression of collagen I and α-SMA by approximately 40%, which was greater than the reduction achieved by siRNA-mediated knockdown. Conclusion CRISPR-Cas13d demonstrated higher efficiency than the siRNA method in knocking down circRNAs, providing a promising tool for investigating circRNA functions.
Huang et al. (2025) Establishment and evaluation of a circAdpgk-0001 knockdown method using CRISPR–Cas13d RNA-targeting technology. PeerJ 13:e20123 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20123
Licinophilus depressus n. gen., sp. n. (Eugregarinida: Stenophoridae) from Licinus depressus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
The paper focuses on a new species of gregarines—Licinophilus depressus n. gen. sp. n., which was found in Licinus depressus (Paykull, 1790) (Coleoptera, Carabidae). The individuals of L. depressus ground beetle were collected on the bank of the Dnipro River, Ukraine and examined for the presence of gregarines in the guts. In the parasites discovered in the midguts, we measured the morphological parameters and their ratios, analyzing how they change in relation to the age of the specimens. According to our measurements, the species turned out to be incomparable to any of the ones described in the scientific literature. Because the gregarine specimens formed syzygies at late stages, were observed to have monogenous life cycle and a septum between the protomerite and deutomerite at all stages of development, and also rudimentary epimerite, they were classified to the Septatorina suborder, Stenophoricae superfamily, Stenophoridae family, and distinguished into a new genus due to the fluctuating septum between the protomerite and deutomerite.With age, the width of the segments does not change, while the gregarine increases in size due to significant elongation of the deutomerite. The most varying parameters of this species of gregarines were the deutomerite length (DL), the deutomerite length axis (DLA), and the total length of gregarine (TL) for which the coefficient of variation exceeded 30%. All the studied morphometric indices, except for the ratio of the deutomerite length to the deutomerite width (DL/DW), exhibited weak association with the age and sizes of gregarines. The indices such as the ratios of the epimerite length to the length of the protomerite-epimerite complex (EL/PECL), the protomerite length to the protomerite-epimerite complex (PL/PECL), the epimerite length to the epimerite width (EL/EW), the protomerite length to the protomerite width (PL/PW), the protomerite width to the septum width (PW/SW), the deutomerite width to the protomerite width (DW/PW), the nucleus length to nucleus width (NL/NW), and also DLA remained constant in this gregarine during growth, and therefore they can be used as constant diagnostic features.
Lazurska et al. (2025) Licinophilus depressus n. gen., sp. n. (Eugregarinida: Stenophoridae) from Licinus depressus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). PeerJ 13:e20099 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20099
Response of soil nematode community structure, diversity, and ecological network to elevation gradients in wild fruit forest of Tianshan Mountain, China
Background The Tianshan wild fruit forest is a special deciduous broad-leaved forest located in the mountains of central Asia. Methods To reveal how the Tianshan wild fruit forest ecosystem responds to environmental changes along an elevation gradient, we used the soil nematode index, which is widely recognized as a key indicator of soil health. This study focused on the nematode communities beneath Juglans cathayensis and Malus sieversii, two typical constructive species in the Tianshan wild fruit forest. Six elevation levels (1,480, 1,401, 1,351, 1,305, 1,252, and 1,207 m) were selected, and a nematode co-occurrence network was constructed for each elevation. We analyzed the abundance, diversity, ecological indices, and network complexity of soil nematode communities across different elevation gradients. In addition, we explored the relationships among environmental factors, soil multifunctionality, and nematode community characteristics. Results Our results showed that: (1) a total of 60,795 nematodes, representing 80 genera were collected. Total abundance, trophic group abundance, and diversity of nematodes peaked at middle elevations. However, in M. sieversii, nematode diversity increased with elevation. (2) The soil food web in the wild fruit forest exhibited a relatively high metabolic rate (nematode channel ratio > 0.5). (3) In J. cathayensis, the nematode ecological network was more complex and tightly interconnected at low elevations. whereas in M. sieversii, greater network complexity was observed at high elevations. (4) Environmental factors (organic matter, pH, total phosphorus, available potassium, total potassium) significantly affected the composition of nematode trophic groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, network complexity was a key factor influencing soil multifunctionality. This study provides a theoretical foundation for long-term monitoring of soil health in Tianshan wild fruit forest.
Zhang et al. (2025) Response of soil nematode community structure, diversity, and ecological network to elevation gradients in wild fruit forest of Tianshan Mountain, China. PeerJ 13:e20090 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20090
Rhodelphis edaphicus sp. nov.—a new lineage of predatory archaeplastids from agricultural soil
Predatory flagellated protists remain extremely poorly studied but often represent the most important deep-branching lineages of eukaryotic evolution. One of the most enigmatic and poorly studied predatory protist groups is Rhodelphidia. These are heterotrophic flagellates, yet belong to the primarily photosynthetic supergroup Archaeplastida and are related to red algae in particular. Here, we describe a new rhodelphid species and the first known soil representative of this group, Rhodelphis edaphicus sp. nov., which was isolated into a clonal culture from agricultural soil. The novel species actively phagocytoses the cells of other protists and bacteria. Using light and electron microscopy, we examined its morphology and identified several novel features, including complex tripartite mastigonemes—not previously reported for this taxon—which link rhodelphids with Cryptista. We expanded a previous 18S rRNA dataset for rhodelphids with environmental sequences and revealed the presence of a soil clade to which the new species belongs. A search of soil metabarcoding data yielded several unknown rhodelphid lineages. Analysis of the distribution of known species and environmental DNA data revealed that rhodelphids inhabit diverse geographic locations worldwide and are found in a variety of habitats, including marine and fresh waters, soils, and, most likely, anaerobic bottom sediments near fumaroles. The diversity of modern rhodelphid habitats, including soil ecosystems, highlights the different environments in which early stages of Archaeplastida evolution may have occurred. The identification and comprehensive study of new lineages of basal archaeplastids provides new insights into the complex evolutionary processes associated with early eukaryotic radiation, the emergence of photosynthesis and plastid evolution that gave rise to the diversification of numerous forms of algae and land plants.
Belyaev et al. (2025) Rhodelphis edaphicus sp. nov.—a new lineage of predatory archaeplastids from agricultural soil. PeerJ 13:e20071 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20071