Athletic participation and its impact on self-concept, body image, and physical fitness in Saudi female adolescents: a cross-sectional comparison between athletes and non-athletes
Background Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by significant physical and psychosocial changes that shape adult behavior and personality. In Saudi Arabia, where female sports participation is newly encouraged, this study therefore aimed to explore how athletic participation influences body image perception, including potential discrepancies between self-perception and fitness outcomes, in a context where female participation in structured physical activity has historically been limited but is now being promoted under Vision 2030. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh province from October 2024 to February 2025, involving 439 female students aged 12–18. Participants were recruited from schools in Al Majma’ah city and were categorized as athletes (school sports participants, n = 252) or non-athletes (n = 241). Outcomes were assessed using the Physical Self-Inventory-Short (PSI-S) for self-perception, the Stunkard Scale for body image, and physical performance tests (Shuttle Run, V Sit-and-Reach, and Wall Sit Test). Results Our findings revealed that athletes reported significantly higher self-perception on the PSI-S compared to non-athletes (53.17% vs. 37.34% high self-perception; p = 0.002). After body mass index (BMI) adjustment, athletes scored higher on the Stunkard Scale (5.83 vs. 4.31; p < 0.001). Athletes demonstrated a tendency to perceive their bodies as moderately larger than their actual BMI-adjusted size, a disparity not observed in non-athletes. This self-perception coexisted with superior physical performance, suggesting that athletic training may decouple size perception from functional capability. Athletes outperformed non-athletes in cardiorespiratory fitness (Shuttle Run: 9.96 vs. 8.01; p < 0.001), flexibility (V Sit-and-Reach: 14.50 vs. 13.02; p = 0.012), and muscular endurance (Wall Sit Test: 63.17 vs. 58.30; p = 0.024). No significant differences in self-perception were observed across BMI categories, suggesting athletic participation’s benefits transcend weight status. Conclusion The findings align with global research linking physical activity to enhanced body satisfaction and self-worth. However, athletes’ self-perception of larger body figures may reflect societal pressures toward thinness, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural ideals and body image. The study underscores the role of sports in promoting physical fitness and psychological well-being among Saudi adolescent females, supporting national efforts to encourage female athletic participation.
Alonazi et al. (2025) Athletic participation and its impact on self-concept, body image, and physical fitness in Saudi female adolescents: a cross-sectional comparison between athletes and non-athletes. PeerJ 13:e20353 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20353
Bornean orangutan nest identification using computer vision and deep learning models to improve conservation strategies
Background Regular population surveys are crucial for the evaluation of conservation measures and the management of critically endangered species such as the Bornean orangutans. Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) are useful for monitoring orangutans by capturing images of the canopy, including nests, to monitor their population. However, manually detecting and counting nests from UAV imagery is time-consuming and requires trained experts. Computer vision and deep learning (DL) models for image classification offer an excellent alternative for orangutan nest identification. Methods This study investigated DL for nest recognition from UAV imagery. A binary dataset (“with nest” and “without nest”) was created from UAV imagery from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The images were captured using a fixed-wing UAV with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera. After image augmentation, 1,624 images were used for the dataset and further split into 70% training, 15% testing and 15% validation for model performance evaluation, i.e., accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score. Four DL models (InceptionV3, MobileNetV2, VGG19 and Xception) were trained to learn from the labeled dataset and predict the presence of nests in new images. Results The results show that out of four DL models, Inception V3 has the best model performance with more than 99% accuracy and precision, while VGG19 has the lowest performance. In addition, gradient-weighted class activation maps were used to interpret the results, allowing visualization of the regions used by InceptionV3 and VGG19 for classification. This study shows the potential of integrating DL into orangutan conservation, particularly in monitoring the orangutan population in the protected environment. Future research should focus on the automatic detection of nests to improve UAV-based monitoring of orangutans.
Simon et al. (2025) Bornean orangutan nest identification using computer vision and deep learning models to improve conservation strategies. PeerJ 13:e20333 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20333
Identification of candidate long non-coding RNAs and mRNAs associated with heart aging in mice
Background Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac aging may uncover novel therapeutic targets for age-related cardiovascular disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), which regulate cell differentiation and disease progression, are emerging as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic candidates. However, their expression profiles and functional roles in the aging heart remain poorly characterized. Methods Male C57BL/6 wild type mice aged 20 months (aged group) and 3 months (young group) underwent transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate cardiac function. Myocardial aging phenotypes were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s trichrome, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. Transcriptomic profiling was performed using a lncRNA-focused microarray platform to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in heart tissues. Results Aged mice showed increased heart weight/body weight and heart weight/tibia length ratios. Both interventricular septum in systole and left ventricular posterior wall in diastole were elevated, while ejection fraction and fractional shortening remained unchanged. The Tei index was significantly higher, suggesting impaired myocardial performance. Histological staining revealed enlarged cardiomyocytes, increased myocardial fibrosis, enhanced apoptosis, and greater senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. Microarray analysis identified distinct age-related expression patterns of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the heart. Conclusions Cardiac aging is characterized by structural and functional remodeling, accompanied by transcriptional reprogramming involving both lncRNAs and mRNAs. These changes offer insights into potential molecular mechanisms and provide candidate regulatory targets for diagnosis and intervention in age-related heart disease.
Kuai et al. (2025) Identification of candidate long non-coding RNAs and mRNAs associated with heart aging in mice. PeerJ 13:e20433 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20433
Evaluation of the retreatability of bioceramic root canal sealers with various formulations in simulated grooves
Background Bioceramic sealers are increasingly used due to their favorable properties, but their strong bonding to dentin complicates retreatment procedure. In addition, canal irregularities such as isthmuses make the complete removal of filling materials more challenging. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the retreatability of five bioceramic sealers (BioRoot RCS, Bio-C Sealer, CeraSeal, Endoseal MTA, and AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer) using passive ultrasonic irrigation. Materials and Methods Sixty human mandibular premolars with straight canals were prepared to size 40/0.04 taper. After longitudinal splitting, standardized grooves were created. The root canals were subsequently obturated using the single cone technique and stored at 37 °C with 100% humidity for 21 days. Passive ultrasonic irrigation was used to assess sealer removal. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results The amount of residual sealer in the apical region was statistically higher compared with the coronal region. In the coronal region, the highest amount of residual material was observed in the Bio-C Sealer group, and this difference was statistically significant compared to the other groups. There was no significant difference among the other groups. In the apical region, there were no statistically significant difference between Bio-C Sealer and Endoseal MTA; however Bio-C Sealer showed a statistically significantly higher amount of residual material compared to BioRoot RCS, Ceraseal, and Ah Plus Bioceramic Sealer. Conclusion Among the evaluated bioceramic sealers, Bio-C Sealer exhibited the highest amount of residual material, particularly in the apical region, indicating its lower retreatability. Passive ultrasonic irrigation improved the removal of BioRoot RCS, CeraSeal, and AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer, but was less effective for Bio-C Sealer and EndoSeal MTA. These findings highlight the variability in retreatability among different bioceramic sealers and emphasize the importance of material selection in cases with potential need for retreatment.
Sümbüllü et al. (2025) Evaluation of the retreatability of bioceramic root canal sealers with various formulations in simulated grooves. PeerJ 13:e20398 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20398
Process of heavy metal transport between soil and the atmosphere: a review
The transport of heavy metals (HMs) (excluding Hg) between soil and the atmosphere significantly influences human production and life. This review systematically summarizes the processes involved in the wind erosion-driven transport of HMs from soil to the atmosphere and the partitioning of atmospheric HMs via atmospheric deposition, drawing on relevant literature analysis and synthesis. The results reveal that both soil and the atmosphere are sinks of HMs, influencing each other significantly. The transport of soil HMs to the atmosphere along with soil fugitive dust by wind force incorporates three pathways: the direct suspension of suspension-size aggregates, the collision and abrasion of creep-size and saltation-size aggregates, and the breakage or decomposition of creep-size aggregates. Conventional farming practices, elevated HM concentrations, and high wind speeds exacerbate soil HM emissions. However, the effects of soil organic matter (SOM) and clay on soil HM emission demonstrate dual characteristics. Atmospheric deposition has emerged as a significant source of soil HMs, with wet deposition predominating, except in arid and semiarid regions. Dry deposition is influenced by meteorological parameters and topographic profiles, whereas preceding weather and precipitation duration are other factors affecting for wet deposition. This process increases the exposure possibility and consequent exposure dosage of HMs to humans and crops, thereby amplifying the potential risks of HMs. Moreover, the capacity of atmospheric HMs for long-range wind-driven dispersal may leave remote and sensitive ecosystems that are increasingly vulnerable. Moreover, it concludes with a synthesis of the current challenges and discusses recommendations for future directions. Therefore, this review will have significant reference and guiding value for research in this field and is intended for researchers engaged in the migration of HMs in soil and atmosphere, the safe utilization of heavy metal contaminated soil, and regional background values of soil HMs.
Environmental Contamination and Remediation
Zhang et al. (2025) Process of heavy metal transport between soil and the atmosphere: a review. PeerJ 13:e20381 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20381
Combined effect of Millet-Cowpea intercropping and biopesticide application against Heliocheilus albipunctella De Joannis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Burkina Faso
Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br. (Poales: Poaceae), the main cereal crop in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, is attacked by several insect pests, among which is the millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella De Joannis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Damage and yield losses caused by H. albipunctella on millet range from 30.00% to 85.00%. Control and management of H. albipunctella currently rely on synthetic insecticides, which are harmful to human and environmental health. Hence, there is a need to explore and develop alternative management strategies. Consequently, the current research, which was conducted, explored the use of millet-cowpea intercropping, a very common practice in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, together with the application of biopesticides of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Sapindales: Meliaceae) seed kernels aqueous extracts. Fieldwork was carried out in Burkina Faso’s Djibasso and Dori communes during the 2021 rainy period. The obtained results found that the application of Neem extracts on cowpea plants at the flowering stage, synchronized with the heading stage of millet, significantly reduced the incidence of H. albipunctella. When millet was intercropped with cowpea, the application of aqueous extracts of Neem indirectly led to a significant reduction of about 50.00% in the number of larvae per spike. Additionally, a reduction in the percentage of millet spikes attacked, a decrease in mine length, and a gain in grain yield of more than 40.00% were observed. Thus, the findings from the application of this agricultural practice could be a promising control option against H. albipunctella.
Boly et al. (2025) Combined effect of Millet-Cowpea intercropping and biopesticide application against Heliocheilus albipunctella De Joannis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Burkina Faso. PeerJ 13:e20221 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20221
Effects of Tetranychus urticae infection on phyllosphere microbial community assembly of Vigna unguiculata
Tetranychus urticae are among the most important leaf-damaging plant-pests, causing severe crop losses worldwide. The plant phyllosphere microbe plays fundamental roles in plant growth and health. However, little is known about how T. urticae and phyllosphere microbes interact to impact plant health. In this study, we used amplicon sequencing to explore the changes in phyllosphere microbes between infected and uninfected Vigna unguiculata leaves by T. urticae. The results showed that the diversity of epiphytic bacteria and endophytic fungi can be significantly decreased, influenced the community structure of the phyllosphere microbe, and decreased co-occurrence network connectivity and complexity of phyllosphere microbes after infection of T. urticae. After infection by T. urticae, V. unguiculata recruited some beneficial microbes (Rickettsia, Naganishia, Brevundimonas, and Aspergillus) to the phyllosphere. PICRUSt and FUNGuild predictive analysis indicated that infection of T. urticae can cause the changes of the function of the phyllosphere fungi. Null model analysis indicated that assembly of epiphytic and endophytic fungal community changed from deterministic processes to stochastic processes after infection of T. urticae, while assembly of epiphytic and endophytic bacterial community changed from stochastic processes to deterministic processes. Our findings provided new insights into interactions among phyllosphere microbes-pest-plants.
Chen et al. (2025) Effects of Tetranychus urticae infection on phyllosphere microbial community assembly of Vigna unguiculata. PeerJ 13:e20389 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20389
Comparative analysis of tensiomyographic and isokinetic assessments of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae in bodybuilding trainees with nonspecific low back pain
Background Bodybuilding training places a significant load on the lumbar region, making it prone to nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). This study aimed to examine the associations between tensiomyography (TMG) parameters—contraction time (Tc), relaxation time (Tr), delay time (Td), maximum displacement (Dm), and sustain time (Ts)—and isokinetic dynamometric measures, including peak torque (PT) and work per repetition (WR), in trunk muscles of bodybuilding trainees with NSLBP. Methods A total of 150 participants were allocated to a control group (n = 60) and the NSLBP group (n = 90). Pain severity from NSLBP was evaluated using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Daily calorie intake, assessed using an artificial intelligence (AI) camera, and physical activity levels, calculated through a standardized equation website, were averaged weekly and analyzed monthly. The muscle function of the rectus femoris and erector spinae was first assessed using TMG, followed by a 30-minute rest period before performing trunk flexion and extension tests with an isokinetic dynamometer. Results This study revealed that the parameters assessed using TMG and isokinetic equipment were lower or indicated greater weakness in the NSLBP group compared to the control group. Tc, Tr, and Td showed negative correlations with PT and WR, whereas Dm and Ts were positively associated. The NSLBP group demonstrated significantly longer Tc, Tr, and Td, along with lower Dm, Ts, PT, and WR values. These findings suggest that TMG variables, which assess muscle function at rest, are associated with the torque parameters measured by isokinetic dynamometry during movement. Bodybuilding trainees with a history of NSLBP exhibit impairments in both static and dynamic muscle function, indicating the need for stability-focused interventions during training.
Kim et al. (2025) Comparative analysis of tensiomyographic and isokinetic assessments of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae in bodybuilding trainees with nonspecific low back pain. PeerJ 13:e20309 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20309
Transcriptomic analyses reveal the potential regulators of the storage root skin color in sweet potato
Background Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is an important storage root crop exhibiting diverse storage root skin and flesh colors across varieties. The storage root skin color (SRSC) is a vital commercial trait which significantly influences the marketability and consumer preference of sweet potato. Methods To clarify the regulatory mechanism of SRSC, the sweet potato storage root of two clones derived from a common origin, designed as M1-125 (red skin and yellow flesh) and M1-125T (yellow skin and yellow flesh), were sampled and transcriptomic sequenced in this study. Results Comparative analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the root skin were predominantly enriched in flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways. Key structural genes, including chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone-favanone isomerase (CHI), favanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) and dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), exhibited higher expression levels in the root skin of M1-125. Notably, a subset of myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factors showed significant expression changes between two genotypes. Based on the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, phylogenetic analysis and expression pattern, IbMYB75, IbMYB3, IbMYB6 and IbMYB4 were thought to be the cooperative regulators of root skin color. These findings provide valuable insights and foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing skin color of sweet potato storage root.
Zhang et al. (2025) Transcriptomic analyses reveal the potential regulators of the storage root skin color in sweet potato. PeerJ 13:e20231 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20231
Prevalence and association testing of antinuclear antibodies and inflammatory bowel disease in Taiwan
Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), which are autoantibodies directed against nuclear components, are commonly present in various autoimmune disorders. We investigated the prevalence and clinical significance of ANAs in Taiwanese patients with IBD. Methods From January 2017 to December 2024, ANA status was checked at initial diagnosis of IBD in patients from a medical center in central Taiwan. Risk factors for ANA positivity were evaluated. Results Of the 166 patients in this study, 57 had CD and 109 had UC. ANA test results were positive (titers of ≥ 1:160) in 26 patients (15.7%). Older age at disease diagnosis (p < 0.05) and a diagnosis of UC (p < 0.05) were statistically significant risk factors for ANA positivity. Gender (p = 0.31), use of advanced therapy (p = 0.66), and the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) (p = 0.14) were not associated with ANA positivity. The response to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy did not differ between ANA-positive and ANA-negative patients (p = 0.34). The most frequent ANA staining patterns were AC1, AC3, and AC4. Conclusions These findings suggest that although ANA positivity is relatively common among Taiwanese patients with IBD, particularly among older UC patients. Further validation is required to explore the clinical implications of ANA positivity in Asian population.
Yang et al. (2025) Prevalence and association testing of antinuclear antibodies and inflammatory bowel disease in Taiwan. PeerJ 13:e20474 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20474