PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Victory above all: the weight loss practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers
items: Clinical significance and heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells and clusters in breast cancer subtypes
items: Effect of modulating the extracellular matrix cross linkage by genipin on tumor cell resistance and survival in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats
items: The reading difficulties in Chinese for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the role of executive function deficits
items: Gender differences in peak medial joint contact forces during activities of daily living
items: Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with delayed puberty onset in rats, activation of proinflammatory cytokines and gut dysbiosis
items: Enhancing physical activity in older type 2 diabetic adults through remote patient monitoring: a pre-post study in Taiwan
items: Associations between squalene epoxidase gene polymorphisms and obesity
items: Internal structure of the action and acceptance questionnaire II (AAQ-II): evidence for a three-factor and bifactor model in two samples of university students
items: Molecular evolution of TRPC4 regulatory sequences supports a role in mammalian thermoregulatory adaptation

Victory above all: the weight loss practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objectives Kickboxing is a dynamic combat sport (CS) in which two competitors engage in full-force strikes using their hands, elbows, knees, shins, and feet. To ensure athletes compete against opponents of similar body size and weight for fairness, kickboxing competition is classified according to weight classes. Previous studies revealed that CS athletes tend to intentionally lose weight to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. However, little is known about weight loss (WL) practices in kickboxers and the perceptions of CS athletes about WL. The aim of this study is to investigate the WL practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers. Methods A total of 152 Chinese male kickboxers completed the adapted Rapid WL Questionnaire. Participants were categorized by age group, weight category, competitive level, attitude toward impact of WL on health, and performance. Results Sixty-eight percent of kickboxers purposefully engaged in WL practices. The average habitual WL was 6.0% of body mass (BM), with the average highest WL being 8.8% of BM. Most participants reduced 41–60% of their total planned magnitude of WL between 60 days and 9 days before the weigh-in, 21–40% between 8 days and 2 days before the weigh-in, and 0–20% within 1 day before the weigh-in. Coaches (67%) were most reported as the primary guides for WL. The primary reason kickboxers engage in WL is competing against lighter opponents to increase the chances of winning (70%). Most participants believed that WL had no impact on health (42%), improved performance (57%), and did not lead to unfair competition (73%). Significant differences were observed in both the highest WL% (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), the habitual WL% (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), the age beginning WL (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), and the annual WL times (p = 0.005, p = 0.018) across age and competitive level, but not observed across weight category, and attitudes toward both the health and performance impacts of WL (all p > 0.05). No sig…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fanjie Meng
creator: Yuming Zhong
creator: Zhao Zhang
creator: Zihan Ren
subject: Nutrition
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19709
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Meng et al.
abstract: Objectives Kickboxing is a dynamic combat sport (CS) in which two competitors engage in full-force strikes using their hands, elbows, knees, shins, and feet. To ensure athletes compete against opponents of similar body size and weight for fairness, kickboxing competition is classified according to weight classes. Previous studies revealed that CS athletes tend to intentionally lose weight to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. However, little is known about weight loss (WL) practices in kickboxers and the perceptions of CS athletes about WL. The aim of this study is to investigate the WL practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers. Methods A total of 152 Chinese male kickboxers completed the adapted Rapid WL Questionnaire. Participants were categorized by age group, weight category, competitive level, attitude toward impact of WL on health, and performance. Results Sixty-eight percent of kickboxers purposefully engaged in WL practices. The average habitual WL was 6.0% of body mass (BM), with the average highest WL being 8.8% of BM. Most participants reduced 41–60% of their total planned magnitude of WL between 60 days and 9 days before the weigh-in, 21–40% between 8 days and 2 days before the weigh-in, and 0–20% within 1 day before the weigh-in. Coaches (67%) were most reported as the primary guides for WL. The primary reason kickboxers engage in WL is competing against lighter opponents to increase the chances of winning (70%). Most participants believed that WL had no impact on health (42%), improved performance (57%), and did not lead to unfair competition (73%). Significant differences were observed in both the highest WL% (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), the habitual WL% (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), the age beginning WL (p = 0.005, p = 0.018), and the annual WL times (p = 0.005, p = 0.018) across age and competitive level, but not observed across weight category, and attitudes toward both the health and performance impacts of WL (all p > 0.05). No sig…
bibliographic citation: Meng et al. (2025) Victory above all: the weight loss practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers. PeerJ 13:e19709 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19709
date submitted: 2025-02-24
date accepted: 2025-06-16
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Meng
  given name: Fanjie
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhong
  given name: Yuming
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Zhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Ren
  given name: Zihan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19709
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Meng et al.
attribution name: Meng et al.

Clinical significance and heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells and clusters in breast cancer subtypes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The marked heterogeneity of breast cancer results in substantial variations in clinical characteristics, metastatic patterns, and prognosis across molecular subtypes. However, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters), pivotal mediators of metastasis, have not been comprehensively evaluated for their biological characteristics and clinical significance across molecular subtypes. This review synthesizes recent research advancements to comprehensively examine the distribution characteristics, biological functions, and prognostic associations of CTCs and CTC clusters in luminal A, luminal B, HER2-positive breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It was observed that HER2-positive breast cancer is associated with elevated CTC counts, whereas TNBC, despite lower CTC counts, exhibits CTCs and CTC clusters with enhanced invasiveness and metastatic potential due to Notch1 signaling pathway activation, elevated PD-L1 expression, and desialylation modifications. In luminal subtypes, the scarcity of CTC clusters is linked to a reduced metastatic risk; however, luminal B exhibits a greater propensity for CTC cluster formation than luminal A, suggesting prognostic differences. Clinical data demonstrate that CTC cluster counts are significantly inversely correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and that dynamic monitoring of CTC clusters enables prediction of treatment resistance and recurrence risk. Furthermore, the molecular profiles of CTCs (e.g., HER2 status, ESR1 mutations) facilitate personalized guidance for targeted and endocrine therapies. However, current detection technologies exhibit limitations in capturing CTC clusters with high efficiency and sensitivity, necessitating further optimization through microfluidic sorting, single-cell omics, and artificial intelligence approaches. This review underscores the heterogeneity of CTCs and CTC clusters across breast cancer subtypes, alongsi…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: LiangYu Hao
creator: Lixiang Zheng
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Immunology
subject: Oncology
subject: Translational Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19703
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Hao and Zheng
abstract: The marked heterogeneity of breast cancer results in substantial variations in clinical characteristics, metastatic patterns, and prognosis across molecular subtypes. However, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters), pivotal mediators of metastasis, have not been comprehensively evaluated for their biological characteristics and clinical significance across molecular subtypes. This review synthesizes recent research advancements to comprehensively examine the distribution characteristics, biological functions, and prognostic associations of CTCs and CTC clusters in luminal A, luminal B, HER2-positive breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It was observed that HER2-positive breast cancer is associated with elevated CTC counts, whereas TNBC, despite lower CTC counts, exhibits CTCs and CTC clusters with enhanced invasiveness and metastatic potential due to Notch1 signaling pathway activation, elevated PD-L1 expression, and desialylation modifications. In luminal subtypes, the scarcity of CTC clusters is linked to a reduced metastatic risk; however, luminal B exhibits a greater propensity for CTC cluster formation than luminal A, suggesting prognostic differences. Clinical data demonstrate that CTC cluster counts are significantly inversely correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and that dynamic monitoring of CTC clusters enables prediction of treatment resistance and recurrence risk. Furthermore, the molecular profiles of CTCs (e.g., HER2 status, ESR1 mutations) facilitate personalized guidance for targeted and endocrine therapies. However, current detection technologies exhibit limitations in capturing CTC clusters with high efficiency and sensitivity, necessitating further optimization through microfluidic sorting, single-cell omics, and artificial intelligence approaches. This review underscores the heterogeneity of CTCs and CTC clusters across breast cancer subtypes, alongsi…
bibliographic citation: Hao et al. (2025) Clinical significance and heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells and clusters in breast cancer subtypes. PeerJ 13:e19703 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19703
date submitted: 2025-03-05
date accepted: 2025-06-13
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hao
  given name: LiangYu
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Lixiang
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19703
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Hao and Zheng
attribution name: Hao and Zheng

Effect of modulating the extracellular matrix cross linkage by genipin on tumor cell resistance and survival in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Previous studies on patients and rats with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown significant changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Versican, a component of the ECM, forms extensive multimolecular interactions with other ECM components, particularly hyaluronan, through specific domains in its core protein. However, disturbances in the hyaluronan-versican interaction may affect cancer development. We aimed to examine the effect of modulating matrix cross-linkage between hyaluronan and versican using genipin on tumor cell survival, resistance, and renewal. Methods Following the induction of HCC in rats using thioacetamide, an oral dose of 10 mg/kg of genipin was administered. Liver impairment was evaluated by measuring serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and examining liver sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin and anti-versican and anti-fibronectin antibodies. Additionally, hepatic expression levels of mRNA and proteins, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibronectin, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), protein kinase B (PKB), and versican, were analyzed. Results Genipin enhances rats’ survival, leading to reduction in serum AFP levels and number of hepatic nodules. Micro-imaging examinations reveal that genipin reduces vacuolated cytoplasm, apoptotic nuclei, and necrotic nodules. Additionally, it significantly lowers EGF, EGFR, fibronectin, GSK-3β, PKB, and versican expression levels. Conclusion Genipin may be considered novel anticancer agent with hepatoprotective effects. This is achieved by reducing versican-free forms. Additionally, genipin decreases tumor cells’ resistance by lowering the expression of EGF, EGFR, PKB, and GSK-3β. Finally, it reduces tumor cell survival by decreasing the expression of fibronectin.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hanan M. Hassan
creator: Mohammed Baradwan
creator: Alaa Bagalagel
creator: Reem Diri
creator: Ahmed Basilim
creator: Mohammed Z. Nasrullah
creator: Abdulhamid Althagafi
creator: Hussam I. Kutbi
creator: Abdulaziz A. Mohammed
creator: Hanan M. Alshan
creator: Mohammed M.H. Al-Gayyar
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19680
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Hassan et al.
abstract: Background Previous studies on patients and rats with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown significant changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Versican, a component of the ECM, forms extensive multimolecular interactions with other ECM components, particularly hyaluronan, through specific domains in its core protein. However, disturbances in the hyaluronan-versican interaction may affect cancer development. We aimed to examine the effect of modulating matrix cross-linkage between hyaluronan and versican using genipin on tumor cell survival, resistance, and renewal. Methods Following the induction of HCC in rats using thioacetamide, an oral dose of 10 mg/kg of genipin was administered. Liver impairment was evaluated by measuring serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and examining liver sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin and anti-versican and anti-fibronectin antibodies. Additionally, hepatic expression levels of mRNA and proteins, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibronectin, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), protein kinase B (PKB), and versican, were analyzed. Results Genipin enhances rats’ survival, leading to reduction in serum AFP levels and number of hepatic nodules. Micro-imaging examinations reveal that genipin reduces vacuolated cytoplasm, apoptotic nuclei, and necrotic nodules. Additionally, it significantly lowers EGF, EGFR, fibronectin, GSK-3β, PKB, and versican expression levels. Conclusion Genipin may be considered novel anticancer agent with hepatoprotective effects. This is achieved by reducing versican-free forms. Additionally, genipin decreases tumor cells’ resistance by lowering the expression of EGF, EGFR, PKB, and GSK-3β. Finally, it reduces tumor cell survival by decreasing the expression of fibronectin.
bibliographic citation: Hassan et al. (2025) Effect of modulating the extracellular matrix cross linkage by genipin on tumor cell resistance and survival in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. PeerJ 13:e19680 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19680
date submitted: 2025-02-10
date accepted: 2025-06-10
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hassan
  given name: Hanan M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Baradwan
  given name: Mohammed
author list: Agent
  family name: Bagalagel
  given name: Alaa
author list: Agent
  family name: Diri
  given name: Reem
author list: Agent
  family name: Basilim
  given name: Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Nasrullah
  given name: Mohammed Z.
author list: Agent
  family name: Althagafi
  given name: Abdulhamid
author list: Agent
  family name: Kutbi
  given name: Hussam I.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohammed
  given name: Abdulaziz A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alshan
  given name: Hanan M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Gayyar
  given name: Mohammed M.H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19680
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Hassan et al.
attribution name: Hassan et al.

The reading difficulties in Chinese for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the role of executive function deficits
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disability (RD) are prevalent childhood conditions that together affect millions of children worldwide. In China, the prevalence of ADHD is approximately 6.4%, whereas the prevalence of RD ranges from 3.45% to 8%. Approximately 18–45% of children with ADHD also display comorbid RD, which further compromises their academic success and social functioning. Executive-function (EF) deficits are a core feature of ADHD and are known to affect reading in RD, yet their specific impact on Chinese reading remains under-explored. Objective This study investigated how EF deficits influence Chinese reading in children with ADHD, with the goal of informing diagnosis and intervention for ADHD-RD comorbidity. Methods This study recruited 160 Chinese-speaking children who met DSM-5 criteria for ADHD and allocated them to two groups—ADHD-only (n = 80) and ADHD + RD (n = 80). ADHD symptoms were rated with the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (SNAP-IV), whereas Chinese reading was evaluated with the Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children (DCCC). Executive functions were measured with tasks tapping visuospatial working memory, verbal working memory, and response inhibition (Go/No-Go). Results Both groups showed no significant differences in ADHD symptom scores. Compared with the ADHD-only group, the ADHD + RD group obtained higher total and subscale DCCC scores and lower accuracies on EF tasks. Total DCCC scores correlated negatively with EF performance, especially on visuospatial working-memory and response-inhibition tasks. Conclusion This study suggests that individuals with ADHD comorbid with Chinese reading disabilities (RD) exhibit more pronounced deficits in executive function, particularly in verbal and visual-spatial working memory, and response inhibition tasks, compared to individuals with ADHD alone. These cognitive deficits are significantly negatively correlated with Chinese rea…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jia Wei
creator: Dengxian Yang
creator: Fang Cheng
creator: Wenwu Zhang
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19679
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Wei et al.
abstract: Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disability (RD) are prevalent childhood conditions that together affect millions of children worldwide. In China, the prevalence of ADHD is approximately 6.4%, whereas the prevalence of RD ranges from 3.45% to 8%. Approximately 18–45% of children with ADHD also display comorbid RD, which further compromises their academic success and social functioning. Executive-function (EF) deficits are a core feature of ADHD and are known to affect reading in RD, yet their specific impact on Chinese reading remains under-explored. Objective This study investigated how EF deficits influence Chinese reading in children with ADHD, with the goal of informing diagnosis and intervention for ADHD-RD comorbidity. Methods This study recruited 160 Chinese-speaking children who met DSM-5 criteria for ADHD and allocated them to two groups—ADHD-only (n = 80) and ADHD + RD (n = 80). ADHD symptoms were rated with the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (SNAP-IV), whereas Chinese reading was evaluated with the Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children (DCCC). Executive functions were measured with tasks tapping visuospatial working memory, verbal working memory, and response inhibition (Go/No-Go). Results Both groups showed no significant differences in ADHD symptom scores. Compared with the ADHD-only group, the ADHD + RD group obtained higher total and subscale DCCC scores and lower accuracies on EF tasks. Total DCCC scores correlated negatively with EF performance, especially on visuospatial working-memory and response-inhibition tasks. Conclusion This study suggests that individuals with ADHD comorbid with Chinese reading disabilities (RD) exhibit more pronounced deficits in executive function, particularly in verbal and visual-spatial working memory, and response inhibition tasks, compared to individuals with ADHD alone. These cognitive deficits are significantly negatively correlated with Chinese rea…
bibliographic citation: Wei et al. (2025) The reading difficulties in Chinese for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the role of executive function deficits. PeerJ 13:e19679 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19679
date submitted: 2025-01-03
date accepted: 2025-06-09
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wei
  given name: Jia
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Dengxian
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Wenwu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19679
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: © 2025 Wei et al.
attribution name: Wei et al.

Gender differences in peak medial joint contact forces during activities of daily living
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Women are more likely to suffer from knee osteoarthritis as compared to men. For men and women, greater peak knee medial joint contact force is associated with greater rates of knee osteoarthritis. However, it is unclear if the increased rates of knee osteoarthritis in women is associated with greater medial joint contact force. We hypothesize that because women experience greater rates of knee osteoarthritis, they would experience greater peak medial joint contact force. Fifty-two healthy, young participants (26 women, 26 men) performed sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit, self-selected speed walking, self-selected speed running, and set speed running trials over force plates while motion capture data was recorded. Medial joint contact force, scaled by bodyweight, was calculated with a reduction modeling approach from inverse dynamics data and ultrasound measured distances. Differences in peak medial joint contact force between men and women were tested with one-tailed unpaired Student’s t-tests with a Bonferroni correction. No significant differences were seen between groups peak medial joint contact force in any of the tested movements. Medial joint contact force may not be able to explain the disparity in knee osteoarthritis rates between men and women.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Samantha J. Snyder
creator: Maliheh Fakhar
creator: Jae Kun Shim
creator: Ross H. Miller
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Women’s Health
subject: Biomechanics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19677
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Snyder et al.
abstract: Women are more likely to suffer from knee osteoarthritis as compared to men. For men and women, greater peak knee medial joint contact force is associated with greater rates of knee osteoarthritis. However, it is unclear if the increased rates of knee osteoarthritis in women is associated with greater medial joint contact force. We hypothesize that because women experience greater rates of knee osteoarthritis, they would experience greater peak medial joint contact force. Fifty-two healthy, young participants (26 women, 26 men) performed sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit, self-selected speed walking, self-selected speed running, and set speed running trials over force plates while motion capture data was recorded. Medial joint contact force, scaled by bodyweight, was calculated with a reduction modeling approach from inverse dynamics data and ultrasound measured distances. Differences in peak medial joint contact force between men and women were tested with one-tailed unpaired Student’s t-tests with a Bonferroni correction. No significant differences were seen between groups peak medial joint contact force in any of the tested movements. Medial joint contact force may not be able to explain the disparity in knee osteoarthritis rates between men and women.
bibliographic citation: Snyder et al. (2025) Gender differences in peak medial joint contact forces during activities of daily living. PeerJ 13:e19677 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19677
date submitted: 2024-10-11
date accepted: 2025-06-09
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Snyder
  given name: Samantha J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fakhar
  given name: Maliheh
author list: Agent
  family name: Shim
  given name: Jae Kun
author list: Agent
  family name: Miller
  given name: Ross H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19677
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: © 2025 Snyder et al.
attribution name: Snyder et al.

Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with delayed puberty onset in rats, activation of proinflammatory cytokines and gut dysbiosis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) in adolescents has become a trend with adverse health outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation causes inflammation, alters puberty onset, and changes the gut microbiome composition; however, the relationship between these is still unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that CSD delays the onset of puberty via elevating proinflammatory cytokines and alter ation of gut microbiome composition. Using the modified multiple platform method, we conducted a 4-week CSD experiment in juvenile rats and assessed pubertal markers, antioxidant activity, cytokine levels, and gut microbiome profiles. CSD significantly reduces body weight, delays onset of puberty, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activities in both sexes. In the sleep-deprivation female (SDF) rats, plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide–binding protein (LBP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly elevated; mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were also significantly elevated in the colon and reproductive organs, respectively. In the sleep-deprivation male (SDM) rats, only plasma levels of IL-6 were elevated considerably; in addition, mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were also significantly elevated in the colon and reproductive organs, respectively. Gut microbiome analysis revealed that the predominant bacteria at the genus level were Muribaculaceae, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 in the SDF rats; Prevotellaceae NK3B31, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, and Shuttleworthia in the SDM rats. CSD rats with abundant genera were positively correlated with antioxidant enzyme activities and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, CSD is associated with delayed puberty onset, possibly via an increase in the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and altering the gut microbiome composition, indicating proinflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome play an import…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shirley Priscilla Gunawan
creator: Shih-Yi Huang
creator: Jhih-Wei Hsu
creator: Chia-Yuan Lin
creator: Nam Nhat Nguyen
creator: Te-Hsuan Tung
creator: Shu-Ling Liang
creator: Gilbert Aaron Lee
creator: Chien-Tien Su
creator: Yang Ching Chen
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Statistics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19668
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Gunawan et al.
abstract: Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) in adolescents has become a trend with adverse health outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation causes inflammation, alters puberty onset, and changes the gut microbiome composition; however, the relationship between these is still unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that CSD delays the onset of puberty via elevating proinflammatory cytokines and alter ation of gut microbiome composition. Using the modified multiple platform method, we conducted a 4-week CSD experiment in juvenile rats and assessed pubertal markers, antioxidant activity, cytokine levels, and gut microbiome profiles. CSD significantly reduces body weight, delays onset of puberty, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activities in both sexes. In the sleep-deprivation female (SDF) rats, plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide–binding protein (LBP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly elevated; mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were also significantly elevated in the colon and reproductive organs, respectively. In the sleep-deprivation male (SDM) rats, only plasma levels of IL-6 were elevated considerably; in addition, mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were also significantly elevated in the colon and reproductive organs, respectively. Gut microbiome analysis revealed that the predominant bacteria at the genus level were Muribaculaceae, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 in the SDF rats; Prevotellaceae NK3B31, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, and Shuttleworthia in the SDM rats. CSD rats with abundant genera were positively correlated with antioxidant enzyme activities and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, CSD is associated with delayed puberty onset, possibly via an increase in the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and altering the gut microbiome composition, indicating proinflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome play an import…
bibliographic citation: Gunawan et al. (2025) Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with delayed puberty onset in rats, activation of proinflammatory cytokines and gut dysbiosis. PeerJ 13:e19668 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19668
date submitted: 2024-12-06
date accepted: 2025-06-05
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Gunawan
  given name: Shirley Priscilla
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Shih-Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Hsu
  given name: Jhih-Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Chia-Yuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Nguyen
  given name: Nam Nhat
author list: Agent
  family name: Tung
  given name: Te-Hsuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Liang
  given name: Shu-Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: Lee
  given name: Gilbert Aaron
author list: Agent
  family name: Su
  given name: Chien-Tien
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Yang Ching
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19668
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Gunawan et al.
attribution name: Gunawan et al.

Enhancing physical activity in older type 2 diabetic adults through remote patient monitoring: a pre-post study in Taiwan
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern among older adults, increasing the risk of frailty, and functional decline. In Taiwan, the convergence of population aging and high diabetes prevalence calls for innovative care strategies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating wearable step-count devices into the diabetic pay-for-performance (P4P) program to enhance physical activity and explore associations with related health outcomes. Methods This prospective, single-arm interventional study was conducted from February to September 2023 at a medical center in central Taiwan. T2D participants in P4P who were able to use smart phone were enrolled. At baseline, comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed to measure participants’ physical, mental functions and nutritional status. Daily step data were collected via Garmin trackers and synced automatically. Participants received weekly remote feedback from diabetes educators to encourage adherence in 2 months. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed changes in step counts over time, and Spearman’s rank correlation examined associations with baseline health indicators. An association of daily step counts with metabolic controls factors, biochemical data, disease severity, functional performance, frailty, nutritional and mood were analyzed. Results The study involved 66 participants, median age 72 years, with 24 males (36.4%) and 42 females (63.6%). Metabolic indicators showed fasting plasma glucose at 110.0 mg/dL (interquartile range, IQR: 97.0–137.5) and hemoglobin A1c at 6.1 (IQR: 5.7–7.2). Additionally, low-density lipoprotein was 86.5 mg/dL (IQR: 67.3–104.5), and triglycerides were 98.5 mg/dL (IQR: 76.8–139.8). Urine albumin-creatinine ratio was 15.3 (IQR: 7.6–84.9), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 70.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR: 48.9–78.1). Functional capacity varied, with 47.0% having low muscle strength and 92.0% showing low physical performance. 15.2% showed symptoms of de…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cheng-Fu Lin
creator: Hui-Min Chang
creator: Chiann-Yi Hsu
creator: Chao-Tung Yang
creator: Shih-Yi Lin
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Human-Computer Interaction
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19659
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Lin et al.
abstract: Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern among older adults, increasing the risk of frailty, and functional decline. In Taiwan, the convergence of population aging and high diabetes prevalence calls for innovative care strategies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating wearable step-count devices into the diabetic pay-for-performance (P4P) program to enhance physical activity and explore associations with related health outcomes. Methods This prospective, single-arm interventional study was conducted from February to September 2023 at a medical center in central Taiwan. T2D participants in P4P who were able to use smart phone were enrolled. At baseline, comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed to measure participants’ physical, mental functions and nutritional status. Daily step data were collected via Garmin trackers and synced automatically. Participants received weekly remote feedback from diabetes educators to encourage adherence in 2 months. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed changes in step counts over time, and Spearman’s rank correlation examined associations with baseline health indicators. An association of daily step counts with metabolic controls factors, biochemical data, disease severity, functional performance, frailty, nutritional and mood were analyzed. Results The study involved 66 participants, median age 72 years, with 24 males (36.4%) and 42 females (63.6%). Metabolic indicators showed fasting plasma glucose at 110.0 mg/dL (interquartile range, IQR: 97.0–137.5) and hemoglobin A1c at 6.1 (IQR: 5.7–7.2). Additionally, low-density lipoprotein was 86.5 mg/dL (IQR: 67.3–104.5), and triglycerides were 98.5 mg/dL (IQR: 76.8–139.8). Urine albumin-creatinine ratio was 15.3 (IQR: 7.6–84.9), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 70.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR: 48.9–78.1). Functional capacity varied, with 47.0% having low muscle strength and 92.0% showing low physical performance. 15.2% showed symptoms of de…
bibliographic citation: Lin et al. (2025) Enhancing physical activity in older type 2 diabetic adults through remote patient monitoring: a pre-post study in Taiwan. PeerJ 13:e19659 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19659
date submitted: 2024-11-29
date accepted: 2025-06-04
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Cheng-Fu
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Hui-Min
author list: Agent
  family name: Hsu
  given name: Chiann-Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Chao-Tung
author list: Agent
  family name: Lin
  given name: Shih-Yi
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19659
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Lin et al.
attribution name: Lin et al.

Associations between squalene epoxidase gene polymorphisms and obesity
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Among the known control points of cholesterol synthesis, squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is considered a key factor influencing cholesterol metabolism. Methods A total of 1,045 consecutive participants were divided into an obese group and a control group. Blood biochemical markers were measured, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from all participants. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the associations between SQLE gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and obesity. Results The C/C genotype of SQLE SNP1 (rs10104486) was significantly more associated with obesity compared to the A/A genotype. A significant difference in genotype distribution frequency for rs10104486 was observed between the obese and control groups. The recessive model (CC vs. AC + AA) also showed a statistically significant difference. For SQLE SNP2 (rs2288312), differences were found in genotype distribution frequency, allele frequency, and the recessive model (GG vs. AA + AG) between the two groups. Conclusions This study indicates a correlation between the SQLE gene polymorphisms rs10104486 and rs2288312 and obesity in a young population. Participants carrying the C allele of rs10104486 were more likely to develop obesity than those carrying the A allele, with the CC genotype identified as a predisposing factor.
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format: text/html
creator: Jia-Qing Yu
creator: Feng-Xia Wang
creator: Shuai Liu
creator: Bing Zhu
creator: Yi-Tong Ma
subject: Cardiology
subject: Internal Medicine
subject: Public Health
subject: Medical Genetics
subject: Obesity
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19635
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Yu et al.
abstract: Background Among the known control points of cholesterol synthesis, squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is considered a key factor influencing cholesterol metabolism. Methods A total of 1,045 consecutive participants were divided into an obese group and a control group. Blood biochemical markers were measured, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from all participants. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the associations between SQLE gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and obesity. Results The C/C genotype of SQLE SNP1 (rs10104486) was significantly more associated with obesity compared to the A/A genotype. A significant difference in genotype distribution frequency for rs10104486 was observed between the obese and control groups. The recessive model (CC vs. AC + AA) also showed a statistically significant difference. For SQLE SNP2 (rs2288312), differences were found in genotype distribution frequency, allele frequency, and the recessive model (GG vs. AA + AG) between the two groups. Conclusions This study indicates a correlation between the SQLE gene polymorphisms rs10104486 and rs2288312 and obesity in a young population. Participants carrying the C allele of rs10104486 were more likely to develop obesity than those carrying the A allele, with the CC genotype identified as a predisposing factor.
bibliographic citation: Yu et al. (2025) Associations between squalene epoxidase gene polymorphisms and obesity. PeerJ 13:e19635 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19635
date submitted: 2025-02-25
date accepted: 2025-06-02
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Jia-Qing
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Feng-Xia
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Shuai
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Bing
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Yi-Tong
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19635
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: ©2025 Yu et al.
attribution name: Yu et al.

Internal structure of the action and acceptance questionnaire II (AAQ-II): evidence for a three-factor and bifactor model in two samples of university students
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Experiential avoidance (EA), defined as an inflexible behavioral pattern by which a person tries to avoid contact with private unpleasant situations, is considered a transdiagnostic variable associated with various psychopathological disorders. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) is a broadly used measure of EA. However, inconsistencies in the methods employed for examining its internal structure and the need for culturally validated measures in diverse populations highlight the need for further study. We conducted two studies in Spanish-speaking university students (nStudy1 = 829; nStudy2 = 830) to determine the validity and reliability of the AAQ-II. Methods In the first study, we examined the questionnaire through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In the second study, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine how well these factor structures fit our data. Results We suggested a three-factor structure (namely: painful memories, emotional distress, and affective control), in contrast with the unidimensional model consistently reported in the literature. The three-factor model showed a better fit overall. Additionally, we tested a bifactor model to determine the feasibility of a general factor. Our results suggested that this general factor explained a high amount of the variance within the model when compared to the three independent factors. In terms of convergent validity, significant positive associations were found between EA and suicidal ideation, depressive and anxious symptoms, while negative associations were found with psychological well-being. The factor structures tested showed good internal consistency indices (ω = 0.853–0.918; α = 0.853–0.918). Discussion We discuss our results in terms of their methodological and practical implications for the use of the AAQ-II.
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format: text/html
creator: Daniel Núñez
creator: César Villacura-Herrera
creator: Javier Cubillos
creator: Martín Donoso
creator: Álvaro I. Langer
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19620
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Núñez et al.
abstract: Background Experiential avoidance (EA), defined as an inflexible behavioral pattern by which a person tries to avoid contact with private unpleasant situations, is considered a transdiagnostic variable associated with various psychopathological disorders. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) is a broadly used measure of EA. However, inconsistencies in the methods employed for examining its internal structure and the need for culturally validated measures in diverse populations highlight the need for further study. We conducted two studies in Spanish-speaking university students (nStudy1 = 829; nStudy2 = 830) to determine the validity and reliability of the AAQ-II. Methods In the first study, we examined the questionnaire through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In the second study, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine how well these factor structures fit our data. Results We suggested a three-factor structure (namely: painful memories, emotional distress, and affective control), in contrast with the unidimensional model consistently reported in the literature. The three-factor model showed a better fit overall. Additionally, we tested a bifactor model to determine the feasibility of a general factor. Our results suggested that this general factor explained a high amount of the variance within the model when compared to the three independent factors. In terms of convergent validity, significant positive associations were found between EA and suicidal ideation, depressive and anxious symptoms, while negative associations were found with psychological well-being. The factor structures tested showed good internal consistency indices (ω = 0.853–0.918; α = 0.853–0.918). Discussion We discuss our results in terms of their methodological and practical implications for the use of the AAQ-II.
bibliographic citation: Núñez et al. (2025) Internal structure of the action and acceptance questionnaire II (AAQ-II): evidence for a three-factor and bifactor model in two samples of university students. PeerJ 13:e19620 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19620
date submitted: 2025-01-31
date accepted: 2025-05-29
issued: 2025-07-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Núñez
  given name: Daniel
author list: Agent
  family name: Villacura-Herrera
  given name: César
author list: Agent
  family name: Cubillos
  given name: Javier
author list: Agent
  family name: Donoso
  given name: Martín
author list: Agent
  family name: Langer
  given name: Álvaro I.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19620
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-09
copyright: © 2025 Núñez et al.
attribution name: Núñez et al.

Molecular evolution of TRPC4 regulatory sequences supports a role in mammalian thermoregulatory adaptation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Proteins encoded by the canonical transient receptor potential (Trpc) gene family form transmembrane channels involved in diverse signal-transduction pathways. Trpc4 has been shown necessary for the induction of nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in mice, a key component of which is thermogenic brown adipose tissue (BAT). In bats, Trpc4 exhibited diversifying selection within exons encoding regulatory binding sites of TRPC4. Methods To assess whether diversification of these regulatory sequences mirrors the diversification of mammalian thermoregulatory strategies, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (ω) was estimated for multiple tetrapod outgroups and eutherian orders. Four questions were addressed: (1) Did the ancestral eutherian Trpc4 diverge under positive selection from nonplacental mammals that lack BAT? (2) Did Trpc4 subsequently become more constrained in descendant eutherian clades? (3) In eutherian clades that subsequently lost BAT by inactivation of the thermogenin gene Ucp1, did Trpc4 become less constrained? (4) Does the evolutionary rate of Trpc4 differ between quantitatively more heterothermic mammal orders (bats and rodents) relative to quantitatively less heterothermic outgroups (carnivores, artiodactylids, and primates)? Results Coincident with the advent of BAT, Trpc4 evolutionary rate increased significantly in ancestral eutheria after their divergence from nonplacental mammals but a branch-site model did not support a rate class ω > 1 along that branch. In descendant eutherian mammals, Trpc4 became far more constrained, with an evolutionary rate less than half that of tetrapod clades lacking NST, a pattern was not seen in other Trp channel genes. Intensifying selection in descendent eutherian mammals was further supported with the RELAX program, which also indicated reduced constraint on Trpc4 in clades that have secondarily lost BAT. However, no consistent pattern was identified within mammalian orders with strong va…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Robert S. Cornman
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Genomics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.19697
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2025 Cornman
abstract: Background Proteins encoded by the canonical transient receptor potential (Trpc) gene family form transmembrane channels involved in diverse signal-transduction pathways. Trpc4 has been shown necessary for the induction of nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in mice, a key component of which is thermogenic brown adipose tissue (BAT). In bats, Trpc4 exhibited diversifying selection within exons encoding regulatory binding sites of TRPC4. Methods To assess whether diversification of these regulatory sequences mirrors the diversification of mammalian thermoregulatory strategies, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (ω) was estimated for multiple tetrapod outgroups and eutherian orders. Four questions were addressed: (1) Did the ancestral eutherian Trpc4 diverge under positive selection from nonplacental mammals that lack BAT? (2) Did Trpc4 subsequently become more constrained in descendant eutherian clades? (3) In eutherian clades that subsequently lost BAT by inactivation of the thermogenin gene Ucp1, did Trpc4 become less constrained? (4) Does the evolutionary rate of Trpc4 differ between quantitatively more heterothermic mammal orders (bats and rodents) relative to quantitatively less heterothermic outgroups (carnivores, artiodactylids, and primates)? Results Coincident with the advent of BAT, Trpc4 evolutionary rate increased significantly in ancestral eutheria after their divergence from nonplacental mammals but a branch-site model did not support a rate class ω > 1 along that branch. In descendant eutherian mammals, Trpc4 became far more constrained, with an evolutionary rate less than half that of tetrapod clades lacking NST, a pattern was not seen in other Trp channel genes. Intensifying selection in descendent eutherian mammals was further supported with the RELAX program, which also indicated reduced constraint on Trpc4 in clades that have secondarily lost BAT. However, no consistent pattern was identified within mammalian orders with strong va…
bibliographic citation: Cornman (2025) Molecular evolution of TRPC4 regulatory sequences supports a role in mammalian thermoregulatory adaptation. PeerJ 13:e19697 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19697
date submitted: 2025-02-20
date accepted: 2025-06-12
issued: 2025-07-08
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cornman
  given name: Robert S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19697
volume: 13
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2025-07-08
copyright: ©2025 Cornman
attribution name: Cornman

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359