Prevalence, awareness, and associated factors of high blood pressure among female migrant workers in Central South China
Background Although many young Chinese women migrate to urban regions for better opportunities, little is known about the prevalence and awareness of having high blood pressure (HBP) in this population. This study investigated the prevalence, awareness, and factors associated with HBP among young female migrant workers in Central South China. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to identify HBP (2017 ACC/AHA guidelines) among female migrant workers aged 18–45 years in Central South China. Demographics, anthropometric measurements, hypertension-related lifestyle, awareness of HBP, and blood pressure were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with HBP (blood pressure ≥ 130/80 mmHg). Results Overall, 232 female migrants participated in the study (mean age 34.4; standard deviation: 6.4 years). The prevalence of HBP was 27.2% (95% CI [21.6–33.2]), and 88.9% of the participants were unaware of their HBP status. Having rural medical insurance (odds ratio [OR] = 20.7; 95% confidence interval 95% CI [2.1–204.8]), awareness of having HBP (OR = 5.1; 95% CI [1.4–18.5]), physical inactivity (OR = 2.9; 95% CI [1.1–7.9]), and being overweight/obese (OR = 2.7; 95% CI [1.3–6.1]) were independently associated with HBP. Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of HBP among young Chinese female migrant workers, as well as a high frequency of being unaware of their condition and some associated factors (rural medical insurance, awareness of having HBP, physical inactivity, and overweight/obesity). The uncontrolled HBP among young Chinese female migrant workers suggested that health education needs further promotion in such a population.
Peng et al. (2022) Prevalence, awareness, and associated factors of high blood pressure among female migrant workers in Central South China. PeerJ 10:e13365 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13365
Contrasting nursery habitats promote variations in the bioenergetic condition of juvenile female red squat lobsters (Pleuroncodes monodon) of the Southern Pacific Ocean
The red squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon is an important fishery resource in the Humboldt Current System (HCS). This decapod is exploited in two fishing units: (a) the northern fishing unit (NFU, from 26°S to 30°S) and (b) the southern fishing unit (SFU, from 32°S to 37°S), each of which have an adjacent nursery area that is the source of recruits to replace the exploited adult populations (in the NFU: off the coast of Coquimbo (28°S) and in the SFU: off the coast of Concepción (36°S)). Marked spatial differences in the environmental conditions of the NFU and SFU, and the biogeographic break that exists between these nursery areas (30°S) may promote changes in the bioenergetic condition of new P. monodon juveniles. To evaluate this, we analyzed the bioenergetic condition (measured as: body mass, lipids, proteins, glucose, and energy) of new juvenile females in the main nursery areas off the Chilean coast. The juvenile females from the SFU showed a higher body mass than those from the NFU. Consistently, the juvenile females from the SFU had a higher content of lipids, proteins, and glucose than those from the NFU, indicative of higher energy contents and a higher lipid/protein ratio in the south compared to the north. Considering the current overexploitation of this fishery resource in the HCS, it is essential to understand how the bioenergetic condition of juvenile females of P. monodon may vary in nursery areas at different latitudes in order to generate sustainable fishery management policies with an ecological approach, designed specifically to each fishing unit. Furthermore, identifying the latitudinal variations of these biochemical compounds in P. monodon juveniles can elucidate the geographic origin of red squat lobsters that present a ”better bioenergetic condition” in the HCS, which may significantly benefit sustainable fishing certification processes.
Guzmán-Rivas et al. (2022) Contrasting nursery habitats promote variations in the bioenergetic condition of juvenile female red squat lobsters (Pleuroncodes monodon) of the Southern Pacific Ocean. PeerJ 10:e13393 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13393
The response of geophytes to continuous human foraging on the Cape south coast, South Africa and its implications for early hunter-gatherer mobility patterns
Current ecological understanding of plants with underground storage organs (USOs) suggests they have, in general, low rates of recruitment and thus as a resource it should be rapidly exhausted, which likely had implications for hunter-gatherer mobility patterns. We focus on the resilience (defined here as the ability of species to persist after being harvested) of USOs to human foraging. Human foragers harvested all visible USO material from 19 plots spread across six Cape south coast (South Africa) vegetation types for three consecutive years (2015–2017) during the period of peak USO apparency (September–October). We expected the plots to be depleted after the first year of harvesting since the entire storage organ of the USO is removed during foraging, i.e. immediate and substantial declines from the first to the second harvest. However, over 50% of the total weight harvested in 2015 was harvested in 2016 and 2017; only after two consecutive years of harvesting, was there evidence of significantly lower yield (p = 0.034) than the first (2015) harvest. Novel emergence of new species and new individuals in year two and three buffered the decline of harvested USOs. We use our findings to make predictions on hunter-gatherer mobility patterns in this region compared to the Hadza in East Africa and the Alyawara in North Australia.
Botha et al. (2022) The response of geophytes to continuous human foraging on the Cape south coast, South Africa and its implications for early hunter-gatherer mobility patterns. PeerJ 10:e13066 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13066
Network subgraph-based approach for analyzing and comparing molecular networks
Molecular networks are built up from genetic elements that exhibit feedback interactions. Here, we studied the problem of measuring the similarity of directed networks by proposing a novel alignment-free approach: the network subgraph-based approach. Our approach does not make use of randomized networks to determine modular patterns embedded in a network, and this method differs from the network motif and graphlet methods. Network similarity was quantified by gauging the difference between the subgraph frequency distributions of two networks using Jensen–Shannon entropy. We applied the subgraph approach to study three types of molecular networks, i.e., cancer networks, signal transduction networks, and cellular process networks, which exhibit diverse molecular functions. We compared the performance of our subgraph detection algorithm with other algorithms, and the results were consistent, but other algorithms could not address the issue of subgraphs/motifs embedded within a subgraph/motif. To evaluate the effectiveness of the subgraph-based method, we applied the method along with the Jensen–Shannon entropy to classify six network models, and it achieves a 100% accuracy of classification. The proposed information-theoretic approach allows us to determine the structural similarity of two networks regardless of node identity and network size. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the subgraph approach to cluster molecular networks that exhibit similar regulatory interaction topologies. As an illustration, our method can identify (i) common subgraph-mediated signal transduction and/or cellular processes in AML and pancreatic cancer, and (ii) scaffold proteins in gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma; thus, the results suggested that there are common regulation modules for cancer formation. We also found that the underlying substructures of the molecular networks are dominated by irreducible subgraphs; this feature is valid for the three classes of molecular networks we studied. The subgraph-based approach provides a systematic scenario for analyzing, compare and classifying molecular networks with diverse functionalities.
Huang et al. (2022) Network subgraph-based approach for analyzing and comparing molecular networks. PeerJ 10:e13137 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13137
Genome-wide identification of the SWEET gene family mediating the cold stress response in Prunus mume
The Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET) gene family encodes a family of sugar transporters that play essential roles in plant growth, reproduction, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Prunus mume is a considerable ornamental wood plant with high edible and medicinal values; however, its lack of tolerance to low temperature has severely limited its geographical distribution. To investigate whether this gene family mediates the response of P. mume to cold stress, we identified that the P. mume gene family consists of 17 members and divided the family members into four groups. Sixteen of these genes were anchored on six chromosomes, and one gene was anchored on the scaffold with four pairs of segmental gene duplications and two pairs of tandem gene duplications. Cis-acting regulatory element analysis indicated that the PmSWEET genes are potentially involved in P. mume development, including potentially regulating roles in procedure, such as circadian control, abscisic acid-response and light-response, and responses to numerous stresses, such as low-temperature and drought. We performed low-temperature treatment in the cold-tolerant cultivar ‘Songchun’ and cold-sensitive cultivar ‘Zaolve’ and found that the expression of four of 17 PmSWEETs was either upregulated or downregulated with prolonged treatment times. This finding indicates that these family members may potentially play a role in cold stress responses in P. mume. Our study provides a basis for further investigation of the role of SWEET proteins in the development of P. mume and its responses to cold stress.
Wen et al. (2022) Genome-wide identification of the SWEET gene family mediating the cold stress response in Prunus mume. PeerJ 10:e13273 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13273
Reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus, a purported Triassic pterosaur from southern Brazil with the description of a new taxon
Faxinalipterus minimus was originally described as a purported pterosaur from the Late Triassic (early Norian) Caturrita Formation of southern Brazil. Its holotype comprises fragmentary postcranial elements, whereas a partial maxilla was referred to the species. The assignment of Faxinalipterus minimus to Pterosauria has been questioned by some studies, but the specimen has never been accessed in detail after its original description. Here we provide a reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus after additional mechanical preparation of the holotype. Our interpretations on the identity of several bones differ from those of the original description, and we found no support favoring pterosaur affinities for the taxon. The maxilla previously referred to Faxinalipterus minimus is disassociated from this taxon and referred to a new putative pterosauromorph described here from a partial skull and fragmentary postcranial elements. Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. comes from the same fossiliferous site that yielded Faxinalipterus minimus, but the lack of overlapping bones hampers comparisons between the two taxa. Our phylogenetic analysis places Faxinalipterus minimus within Lagerpetidae and Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. as the earliest-diverging member of Pterosauromorpha. Furthermore, the peculiar morphology of the new taxon reveals a new dental morphotype for archosaurs, characterized by conical, unserrated crowns, with a pair of apicobasally oriented grooves. These two enigmatic archosaurs expand our knowledge on the Caturrita Formation fauna and reinforce the importance of its beds on the understanding of Late Triassic ecosystems.
Kellner et al. (2022) Reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus, a purported Triassic pterosaur from southern Brazil with the description of a new taxon. PeerJ 10:e13276 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13276
Climate change influences on the geographic distributional potential of the spotted fever vectors Amblyomma maculatum and Dermacentor andersoni
Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick), and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick) are two North American ticks that transmit spotted fevers associated Rickettsia. Amblyomma maculatum transmits Rickettsia parkeri and Francisella tularensis, while D. andersoni transmits R. rickettsii, Anaplasma marginale, Coltivirus (Colorado tick fever virus), and F. tularensis. Increases in temperature causes mild winters and more extreme dry periods during summers, which will affect tick populations in unknown ways. Here, we used ecological niche modeling (ENM) to assess the potential geographic distributions of these two medically important vector species in North America under current condition and then transfer those models to the future under different future climate scenarios with special interest in highlighting new potential expansion areas. Current model predictions for A. maculatum showed suitable areas across the southern and Midwest United States, and east coast, western and southern Mexico. For D. andersoni, our models showed broad suitable areas across northwestern United States. New potential for range expansions was anticipated for both tick species northward in response to climate change, extending across the Midwest and New England for A. maculatum, and still farther north into Canada for D. andersoni.
Alkishe et al. (2022) Climate change influences on the geographic distributional potential of the spotted fever vectors Amblyomma maculatum and Dermacentor andersoni. PeerJ 10:e13279 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13279
Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients in Yili River Valley
Soil nutrients are a vital reference index of soil fertility and are essential in studying spatial variability for the development of land resources. The traditional statistical methods including correlation analysis and geostatistical analysis, were used to explore the spatial variability of nutrients and its influencing factors in the Yili River Valley. The results showed that soil total potassium (STK) had a weak variation, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN) and soil total phosphorus (STP) showed a moderate degree of variation. Correlation analysis showed that SOC had a significant correlation with STN, STP, STK, silt, soil water content (SWC), Cos a and altitude (p < 0.01). In contrast, negative correlations were found between the SOC and sand, soil bulk density (SBD) and pH (p < 0.01), the same as STN. STP had a significant correlation with STK, silt (p < 0.01) and Cos a (p < 0.05), whereas negative correlations were found between the STP, sand and SBD (p < 0.01). STK had a significant correlation with silt, whereas negative correlations were found between the STK, sand and SBD. Ordinary Kriging interpolation showed that the distribution of SOC and STN had a high value in the northeast, northwest and southeast, and a low value in the central and southwest. STP was high in the northwest and southeast and low in the northeast and southwest. STK was high in the northwest and northeast and low in the central and southeast regions. This is helpful for the rational exploitation of land resources in ecological economy development in the Yili River Basin.
Sun et al. (2022) Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients in Yili River Valley. PeerJ 10:e13311 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13311
Glucocorticoids induce osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats via PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway
Background Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a disorder that causes severe disability in patients and has a high incidence worldwide. Although glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts is an important cytological basis of SONFH, the detailed mechanism underlying SONFH pathogenesis remains elusive. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was reported to involve in cell survival and apoptosis. Objective We explored the role of PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway and its downstream targets during glucocorticoid -induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Methods We obtained gene expression profile of osteoblasts subjected to dexamethasone (Dex) treatment from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out and functional enrichment analysis were conducted by bioinformatics analysis. In vitro, we analyzed Dex-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells and explored the role of PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway in this phenomenon by employing siRNA-FOXO1 and IGF-1(PI3K/AKT agonist). Finally, we verified our results in a rat model of SONFH. Results In Dex-treated osteoblasts, DEGs were mainly enriched in the FOXO signaling pathway. Dex inhibited MC3T3-E1 cell viability in a dose-dependent effect and induced apoptosis by increasing the expression levels of FOXO1, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-9, while reducing the expression of Bcl-2. Notably, these results were reversed by siRNA-FOXO1 treatment. Dex inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, upregulated FOXO1 expression and increased FOXO1 nuclear translocation, which were reversed by IGF-1. Compared to normal rats, the femoral head of SONFH showed increased expression of FOXO1, increased number of apoptotic cells, and empty osteocytic lacunas, as well as decreased bone tissue content and femoral head integrity. Significantly, the effects of GC-induced SONFH were alleviated following IGF-1 treatment. Conclusion Dex induces osteoblast apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Our research offers new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis in SONFH and proposes FOXO1 as a therapeutic target for this disease.
Sun et al. (2022) Glucocorticoids induce osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats via PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway. PeerJ 10:e13319 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13319
The association of plasma osteoprotegerin levels and functional outcomes post endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective observational study
Background Osteoprotegerin (OPG), also known as osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor, is a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily component. There is an established relationship between OPG and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that plasma OPG levels are associated with functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients who have undergone endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods From April 2014 through December 2020, a total of 360 acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT were prospectively included in this retrospective observational study. Plasma OPG was measured after fasting for 12 postoperative hours after EVT. A modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to assess functional outcomes 3 months after index stroke occurrence. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of plasma OPG levels with poor functional outcomes. Results Overall, 145 (40.2%) patients had poor (mRS > 2) outcomes. The mean ± standard deviation plasma OPG level was 200.2 ± 74.4 pg/mL. Multivariate analysis after adjusting for sex, body mass index, and variables with p < 0.1 in the preceding univariate analysis revealed high plasma OPG levels were independently associated with poor functional outcomes (highest tertile vs. lowest tertile of OPG; odds ratios (OR) 2.121, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.089–4.191], p = 0.037 in binary logistic regression, OR 2.102, 95% CI [1.301–3.412], p = 0.002 in ordinal logistic regression analysis). Conclusions This study demonstrated that higher plasma OPG levels were associated with poor functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT.
Park et al. (2022) The association of plasma osteoprotegerin levels and functional outcomes post endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective observational study. PeerJ 10:e13327 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13327