Exploration of nitrogen use efficiency and root-shoot-soil variation on the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium for winter wheat under various nitrogen treatments
Background Nitrogen (N) addition has significant effects on grain yield and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in farmland ecosystems, and the total carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium (TC:TN:TP:TK) stoichiometry in plants and soil is of great significance for improving plant productivity and nutrition. However, there is still uncertainty regarding the effects of N fertilizers on the stoichiometric characteristics of different root-shoot parts of winter wheat during growth progression. Methods ‘Fengdecunmai5’ wheat was selected as the material for the positioning test field. Three N application treatments (0, 180 and 300 kg ha−1, designated N0, N180 and N300) were designed to study the yield, NUE, and stoichiometric characteristics of TC, TN, TP and TK in each organ at different stages, and to analyze the relationships among them. Results The N180 treatment increased the total nitrogen (TN) content in roots, stems plus leaves and grain at each stage. The TN and TP content in stems plus leaves gradually decreased from jointing to maturity stages, whereas the TN content in grain gradually increased from filling to maturity stages. Under the N180 treatment, TN:TP values significantly increased, by 20.3%, 27.9% and 26.3% compared with N0 treatment, respectively. Moreover, the farmland ecosystem was mainly limited by the TN content. TK content in roots and TC:TN in stems plus leaves was significantly positively correlated with NUE. TN:TK and TN: TP in stems plus leaves were positively correlated with yield, and TN and TK content in stems plus leaves considerably influenced the yield. Conclusions Under N180 treatment, compared with N0 and N300 treatments, wheat plants achieved higher nutrient uptake, and greater yield and NUE. This study contributes to the assessment of plant productivity and the precise optimization of ecosystem stoichiometry in the context of green sustainable agricultural development.
Lv et al. (2025) Exploration of nitrogen use efficiency and root-shoot-soil variation on the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium for winter wheat under various nitrogen treatments. PeerJ 13:e20101 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20101
Influence of organic, synthetic and biofertilizers on the diversity of cassava rhizosphere microbiome in Northeastern Thailand
Cassava, one of Thailand’s main economic crops, is capable of growing in nearly all soil types. However, continuous monocropping depletes soil nutrients over time. Adopting good agricultural practices can help farmers reduce costs while improving soil fertility. The aim of this study was to compare cassava rhizosphere microbial communities resulting from cultivation under eight different fertilizer treatments, including synthetic, organic, and biological fertilizers, and to identify beneficial microbes that promote cassava growth and yield. The study was conducted at two sites in Northeastern Thailand. Results show that bacterial abundance and species richness (alpha diversity) peaked at 5 months after planting (MAP), showing a significant increase compared to 2 MAP. However, by 10 MAP, alpha diversity began to decline at both sites, Nampong and Seungsang. Among the treatments, the most notable differences in alpha diversity were observed at 5 MAP. At the Nampong site, experimental treatments with chicken manure (T3) and chicken manure combined with other fertilizers (T5, T6, and T8) exhibited significantly higher alpha diversity than did the control (without fertilizer, T1). At the Seungsang site, sole treatment with the full recommended rate of chicken manure (T3), and half of the recommended dose of synthetic fertilizer combined with half the recommended dose of chicken manure (T6) resulted in greater alpha diversity than did swine manure extract application (T4), half of the recommended dose of synthetic fertilizer combined with half of the recommended dose of swine manure extract (T7), and chicken manure application combined with stalk inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) (T8). Since T3 and T8 had the most significant impact on microbial abundance and diversity, as well as cassava growth and yield, the predominant bacteria in these treatments were identified as key targets. A total of eight target bacterial genera were identified: Pseudomonas, Tumebacillus, Lysinibacillus, Paenibacillus, Dongia, Acidibacter, Sphingomonas, and Bacillus. Among them, Tumebacillus was the most notable, as it showed a significant correlation with fresh tuber yield. These beneficial bacteria may serve as key candidates for future biofertilizer production.
Somyong et al. (2025) Influence of organic, synthetic and biofertilizers on the diversity of cassava rhizosphere microbiome in Northeastern Thailand. PeerJ 13:e20085 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20085
Immune-related hub genes in intrauterine adhesions: a bioinformatics approach
Background Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) are a leading cause of acquired female infertility that predominantly arises following surgical intrauterine interventions. Clinical strategies are available for managing IUA, however, the molecular pathogenesis of IUA, particularly the role of immune dysregulation in endometrial repair processes, has not been fully characterized, necessitating comprehensive mechanistic studies. Methods We used computational biology methods to determine the molecular pathogenesis of IUA, the results of which were experimentally validated. (i) We systematically reanalyzed GSE224093, a publicly available endometrial transcriptomic dataset, using GEO2R. Differential gene expression was analyzed with stringent statistical thresholds; the results were immunologically contextualized via intersection with the ImmPort database. (ii) Multilayer functional annotation was conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway topology analyses. (iii) Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and scale-free topology optimization were used to identify conserved coexpression modules. (iv) Seven hub genes underwent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) validation in human and murine models, with four verified using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results Our integrated multiomics analysis identified seven hub genes associated with IUA pathogenesis through GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analyses. The expression levels TUBB3, WNT5A, GDF7, IGF1, and BIRC5 were downregulated, and those of PTGDS and CCL14 were upregulated. The qPCR results confirmed these expression patterns in human and murine endometria (p < 0.05), with TUBB3 and PTGDS species-specifically diverging from the computational predictions. The IHC results provided the corresponding protein expression changes for IGF1, WNT5A, BIRC5, and GDF7 in IUA (p < 0.01). CCL14 could not be amplified in murine models due to technical constraints. Discussion We identified seven immune-related gene signatures through integrative bioinformatics. We experimentally validated three genes (TUBB3, PTGDS, and CCL14) demonstrating species-specific expression patterns. We proposed four mechanistically plausible biomarkers (WNT5A, IGF1, BIRC5, and GDF7) for developing IUA diagnostic tools. The conserved dysregulation of WNT5A- and TGF-β-associated genes (GDF7 and IGF1) suggest therapeutic targets for preventing adhesion recurrence. This study advances our understanding of IUA pathogenesis. Single-cell transcriptomics should be examined in future studies to determine the cellular-subtype-specific contributions to IUA.
Lv et al. (2025) Immune-related hub genes in intrauterine adhesions: a bioinformatics approach. PeerJ 13:e20035 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20035
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the HSP70 gene family in Artemisia annua L. under heat stress
Artemisia annua L., a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is the main source for production of artemisinin, an anti-malaria drug. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. While the HSP70 gene family has been characterized in many species, its role in A. annua remains unclear. To investigate the evolutionary relationships, functions, and expression patterns of the A. annua HSP70 (AaHSP70) gene family, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the HSP70 gene family in the LQ-9 haplotype 0 genome of A. annua. In this study, 47 AaHSP70 genes containing the HSP70 protein structural domain were identified and were unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes, among which, 39 AaHSP70 genes contained 10 identical conserved motifs and eight genes contained varying numbers of seven to nine motifs. Genome collinearity analysis showed that two pairs of genes were duplicated in genome and duplicated segmental duplication (DSD) was the major mode of amplification for this gene family. Cis-acting elements analysis indicated that AaHSP70 was involved in responding to various biotic and abiotic stresses, such as abscisic acid-responsive and defense and stress responsiveness. Gene expression profiling showed that 45 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of AaHSP70 genes responded differently to heat treatment, of which 12 genes were up-regulated and two genes were up-regulated and then down-regulated. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment showed that two AaHSP70 genes were enriched in the pathway related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) experiments confirmed the expression levels of 10 up-regulated genes. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the HSP70 gene family in A. annua and systematically identifies AaHSP70 genes that were responsive to heat stress, laying the groundwork for further research into the role of the HSP70 gene family in the response of A. annua to abiotic stress.
Zhong et al. (2025) Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the HSP70 gene family in Artemisia annua L. under heat stress. PeerJ 13:e19866 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19866
Exploring the use of mobile health among patients with cardiometabolic and respiratory chronic diseases in primary care nursing: a cross-sectional study
Background Chronic diseases, such as cardiometabolic and respiratory conditions, are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality. These conditions place a considerable burden on primary care due to rising healthcare costs and increasing patient dependency in daily life. Digital tools, such as mobile health (mHealth), have emerged as promising resources to support chronic disease management in this setting. However, patient adoption of mHealth remains limited, and few studies have specifically examined its use among individuals with multiple chronic conditions. This study aims to examine the overall use and implementation of mHealth technologies among patients with chronic cardiometabolic and/or respiratory diseases receiving care from primary care nursing services. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted from December 2022 to October 2023 in the primary care services of the Denia Health Department, Alicante, Spain. A non-probability purposive-consecutive sampling method was used. Participants were adult patients attending chronic care nursing consultations with one or more of the following diagnoses: hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyslipidemia, or obesity. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed, and participants completed an ad hoc questionnaire on mobile phone use, health app usage, and online health information-seeking behaviors. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio for macOS®. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-tests were applied. Results A total of 523 participants were included (mean age: 71.65 years; SD = 11.91; range: 21–99 years; 50.9% male). Mobile phone and health app usage were significantly higher among men (P = 0.0017) and younger patients, who also demonstrated greater digital proficiency and experience (P < 0.001). Patients with diabetes were the most frequent users of these tools. Those willing to use mHealth for monitoring were also younger and more digitally skilled (P < 0.001). Most participants searched for health information online using search engines (81.8%), and among those who consulted official sources, 69.2% had secondary or higher education. Conclusions The use of mHealth technologies in primary care is more common among younger patients, those with higher education levels, and individuals with greater digital skills, suggesting a digital divide. Patients with diabetes were the most frequent users. These findings highlight the importance of promoting digital literacy and designing accessible, user-friendly tools tailored to patients’ individual needs. It is also crucial to consider the preference for face-to-face care, particularly among older adults. Effective implementation of digital health solutions requires inclusive strategies that account for technological, socioeconomic, and contextual differences.
Monasor Ortola et al. (2025) Exploring the use of mobile health among patients with cardiometabolic and respiratory chronic diseases in primary care nursing: a cross-sectional study. PeerJ 13:e20130 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20130
Unlocking the potential of endothelial progenitor cells: a comprehensive review of definitions, applications, and future directions
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are undifferentiated cells with the capacity to mature into endothelial cells (ECs). EPCs have garnered considerable attention in the fields of regenerative medicine and cardiovascular therapy, owing to their pivotal role in neovascularization and vascular repair. Nonetheless, numerous challenges and questions persist regarding the translational research and practical application of EPCs. This review aims to examine the varying definitions of EPCs, their classification, extraction methods, and sources. It will also address the optimization of cultivation techniques for EPCs and the reprogramming of EPCs into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Furthermore, the review will delve into the role of EPCs in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), septic shock, and rheumatic immune conditions, as well as their implications in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and skin soft tissue regeneration. Finally, the article will discuss future research prospects for EPCs, aiming to engage and inspire readers.
Ye et al. (2025) Unlocking the potential of endothelial progenitor cells: a comprehensive review of definitions, applications, and future directions. PeerJ 13:e20128 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20128
Development and application of a CRISPR/Cas12a-based reverse transcription–recombinase polymerase amplification assay with lateral flow dipstick and fluorescence detection for Getah virus
Getah virus (GETV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus classified as a zoonotic disease, primarily infects livestock, particularly pigs and horses. In recent years, it has re-emerged in multiple Asian countries, posing a potential threat to animal husbandry and public health. In this study, we developed a rapid and sensitive GETV detection method based on reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas12a system combined with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) for visual readout. By leveraging sequence conservation in the GETV E2 envelope protein-coding regions, we engineered matched crRNA guides and amplification primers to develop a rapid CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostic workflow. The optimized platform combines RT-RPA (42 °C/20 min) with Cas12a’s trans-nuclease activity, permitting multiplex detection via real-time fluorescence quantification or immunochromatographic strip visualization. Analytical evaluation demonstrated a detection capability of 10 copies/µL and exclusive specificity against four pathogen controls, including Japanese encephalitis virus and pseudorabies virus. Validation performed using simulated clinical samples revealed 100% concordance between the results of RT–RPA–CRISPR/Cas12a–LFD and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while reducing the total detection time to 50 minutes. This approach eliminated the need for advanced instrumentation owing to its simplified operational design, enabling field-deployable rapid detection capabilities that establish essential technical infrastructure for initiating timely GETV containment measures. This approach has broad application potential in the fields of food safety, clinical diagnostics, and environmental science.
Xia et al. (2025) Development and application of a CRISPR/Cas12a-based reverse transcription–recombinase polymerase amplification assay with lateral flow dipstick and fluorescence detection for Getah virus. PeerJ 13:e20119 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20119
Mauritian snail shells show evidence of extinct predators
Shells of several species of Tropidophora land snails of the volcanic island of Mauritius (Mascarenes, SW Indian Ocean), all dated between ~1426BCE and ~1090 CE predating the earliest confirmed human discovery (1519) and settlement (1638) of the island, have been found with characteristic predatory holes. These are either large, irregular holes on the underside of T. carinata, or circular holes 0–9–3.3 mm in diameter, in almost the exact same place in T. ligata, T. icterica and T. michaudi. The former have been suggested to be evidence of predation by the extinct red rail Aphanapteryx bonasia, which we consider to be probable. The circular holes have not been reported previously. Examination of these shows them to be very regular in shape and size, to be in the centre of a shallow depression marked by two sets of fine grooves at right angles to one another. These holes were compared to damage caused by predators reported to have ‘bored’ into shells: Drillus elaterid beetles, Poiretia spiraxid snails and rathouisiid slugs. The damage is most similar to that caused by rathouisiids and we postulate that the holes were caused by a now extinct predator of that family. The only extant members of the family in the Mascarene islands are too small to be the predators. There is no evidence of such predation in recent shells; this is an extinct interaction between an extirpated predator and its prey.
Gerlach et al. (2025) Mauritian snail shells show evidence of extinct predators. PeerJ 13:e20112 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20112
Predictive performance of clinical scores and survival outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis: a prospective longitudinal study at a tertiary medical centre in Ethiopia
Background Clinical scores such as quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA), early warning score (EWS), and universal vital assessment (UVA) are commonly used as screening and prognostic tools in sepsis. However, consistent findings across different regions and hospital settings remain limited. This study aims to evaluate the performance of these clinical scores and identify predictors of survival in septic adults admitted to the ICU. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from October 10, 2023, to October 9, 2024, involving adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Clinical scores were calculated on the first, third, and fifth days of admission. Their performance in detecting sepsis, identifying culture-positive cases, and predicting mortality was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities, and a Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify predictors of survival in sepsis patients. Results Of the ICU-admitted patients, 148 (51.9%) were septic, and 54 (36.5%) of them died in the ICU. The modified early warning score (MEWS) showed good performance in identifying sepsis (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.61–0.73]) and culture-positive cases (AUC = 0.65; 95% CI [0.50–0.80]) on the day of admission. MEWS also performed better in predicting mortality on day five (AUC = 0.75; 95% CI [0.57–0.93]). Patients with sepsis had significantly lower survival probabilities than those without sepsis (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Each additional point in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score reduced the hazard of death by 10% (HR = 0.90; 95% CI [0.84–0.97]; p = 0.005). Conclusion The MEWS score outperformed other clinical scores in identifying sepsis, detecting culture-positive cases, and predicting mortality. Sepsis was associated with higher mortality, which decreased with increasing GCS scores. MEWS may support early identification of sepsis and mortality risk, and its use could help improve ICU survival through timely intervention.
Kiya et al. (2025) Predictive performance of clinical scores and survival outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis: a prospective longitudinal study at a tertiary medical centre in Ethiopia. PeerJ 13:e20109 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20109
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