Comparison of two benthic assemblage sampling gears for use on intertidal oyster reefs in Louisiana
Background Estuarine biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting ecosystem functions yet remains threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activity. Tracking and identifying estuarine biodiversity trends helps management ensure long-term provisions of human and environmental benefits by contributing to the estimation of habitat loss and the monitoring of restoration and conservation progress. However, results obtained using different sampling gears and different biodiversity metrics may lead researchers to reach different conclusions, which can lead to uncertainty in the actual state of the ecosystem-level biodiversity. Sampling benthic biodiversity in complex estuarine habitats, such as oyster reefs, is particularly challenging because no one gear type captures entire target assemblages, and differences in gear efficiency on these complex habitats make comparisons across gear types challenging. Methods We investigated how estimates of oyster reef-associated benthic taxa abundance, richness, Pielou’s evenness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity differed across three Crassostrea virginica reefs in Louisiana between suction sampler and substrate tray sampling gears (n = 6), and how gear influenced comparisons across reefs (3 reefs × 6 replicates × 2 gears). Results Abundance and richness were higher, and Pielou’s evenness was lower, in trays compared to suction samples at all reefs. Shannon-Wiener diversity was similar in suction samples and trays at two out of three reefs. Amphipod taxa were numerically dominant in trays, skewing the distribution of abundances and driving the reef assemblage differences between gears. Abundance and Shannon-Wiener diversity were similar across reefs within each gear. However, there were significant differences in richness across reefs in tray samples only, while evenness differed across reefs only in suction samples. Our results highlight that gear choices, along with biodiversity metrics tracked, can result in different conclusions in biodiversity trends, ultimately affecting conservation decisions and management.
Campanino et al. (2025) Comparison of two benthic assemblage sampling gears for use on intertidal oyster reefs in Louisiana. PeerJ 13:e19346 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19346
Subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy and the impact of levothyroxine therapy on pregnancy outcomes in women
Aims The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy and levothyroxine (LT4) therapy on pregnancy outcomes. Methods Among 6,510 pregnant women who came to The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang for pregnancy examination and delivery, 266 pregnant women with SCH and treated with LT4 were selected as the SCH group and 672 pregnant women without SCH were selected as the non-SCH group, and the incidence rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women and newborns of the two groups were compared using Chi-square test and logistic regression. According to the therapeutic effect, pregnant women treated with LT4 were categorized into sustained euthyroid status (SES) and suboptimal thyroid status (STS) groups and compared with the non-SCH group using chi-square test. The correlation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at different stages of pregnancy was explored using Spearman’s rank test. Results The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and neonatal outcomes were ventricular or atrial septal defect (V/ASD), hyperbilirubinemia, and pneumonia were higher in the SCH group (SCH pregnant women) than in the non-SCH group (non-SCH pregnant women) (p < 0.05). The incidence of multiple maternal and neonatal complications was higher in the SCH-STS group (SCH in two or three gestational trimesters) compared to the SCH group. With a tendency for TSH levels to increase as the pregnancy progressed. Conclusion SCH during pregnancy is associated with a high incidence of various pregnancy complications, and LT4 therapy that controls serum TSH levels at normal levels throughout pregnancy can reduce these risks.
Zhou et al. (2025) Subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy and the impact of levothyroxine therapy on pregnancy outcomes in women. PeerJ 13:e19343 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19343
A study of female tennis players: Speedcourt training is effective on improving agility and change-of-direction
Objective The aim of the present paper was to determine the impact of Speedcourt training on agility and change-of-direction (COD) in female tennis players, and to research the relevance between agility and lower limbs unilateral explosive power (UEP). Despite extensive research on agility training, limited studies have explored these effects specifically in female athletes and the number of exercises such as Speedcourt is also small, necessitating this investigation. Method Twenty-two female tennis players underwent SpeedCourt training for 6 weeks, respectively executed random sequence shuttle run training (RS group, N = 11, age: 22.36 ± 1.21 years) and fixed sequence shuttle run training (FS group, N = 11, age: 22.27 ± 1.27 years). The spider run, T-drill, reactive agility (RA) and triple crossover hop (TCH) before and after intervention were measured. And the TCH tested the left and right legs separately to detect the subject’s UEP. Results The two-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant improvements in spider run (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.95), T-drill (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.94) and RA (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.96). The RS group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in RA compared to the FS group, with statistical significance (p < 0.05, partial η2 = 0.184). And agility related tests showed moderate to strong correlations with unilateral explosive power. Conclusion Six-week Speedcourt training can effectively enhance the agility and change-of-direction of female tennis players. Incorporating lower limb explosive exercises into agility-specific training may further enhance agility improvements in female tennis players.
Zhou et al. (2025) A study of female tennis players: Speedcourt training is effective on improving agility and change-of-direction. PeerJ 13:e19339 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19339
Comparison of blood viscosity models in different degrees of carotid artery stenosis
Background Carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease significantly contributes to strokes, presenting a heightened risk of early recurrent ischemia. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has shown potential in predicting subsequent stroke recurrence in patients with carotid stenosis. Objective This study aims to investigate the differences in computational time and accuracy of four key hemodynamic indices—wall shear stress (WSS), time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), Oscillatory Shear Index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT)—across different viscosity models, thereby providing optimal model selection for clinical cases and offering guidance for clinicians’ decision-making. Methods A three-dimensional vessel model was established using computed tomography angiography (CTA), followed by CFD simulations to calculate WSS, TAWSS, OSI, and RRT. The accuracy of the simulations was validated by comparing the results with those from Razavi et al. (10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.04.023). Numerical errors in different parameters under varying stenosis levels and viscosity models were analyzed. Results In the transient state, when degree of stenosis is 38%, 72%–84%, the performance difference between the two is less than 6%. For TAWSS, the difference is 0% when degree of stenosis is 12%, 18%, 26%, 54%, and 76%. For OSI, the difference is 0% when stenosis is 16%, 18%, 26%. For RRT, the difference between the two is 0% when degree of stenosis is 18% and 84%. WSS exhibited an increasing trend with higher degrees of stenosis. TAWSS demonstrated significant variation in moderate to severe stenosis, while OSI increased markedly in cases of moderate to severe stenosis. High RRT values in severely stenotic regions indicated a propensity for atherosclerotic lesion development. Conclusion This study systematically quantified the discrepancies between Newtonian and non-Newtonian blood viscosity models in predicting hemodynamic parameters across different degrees of carotid artery stenosis. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between the two models in WSS, TAWSS, OSI, and RRT (p < 0.001 for all parameters). Newtonian models, while computationally efficient, overestimated TAWSS, OSI, and RRT while underestimating WSS, particularly in moderate to severe stenosis. In contrast, non-Newtonian models provided more physiologically accurate predictions, especially in regions with high shear stress variations. The results emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate viscosity models for CFD-based patient-specific risk assessment, particularly in stroke prediction, plaque evaluation, and surgical planning. Non-Newtonian models should be prioritized in high-risk patients where flow disturbances are more pronounced, whereas Newtonian models remain suitable for early screening and rapid assessments.
Liu et al. (2025) Comparison of blood viscosity models in different degrees of carotid artery stenosis. PeerJ 13:e19336 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19336
Metagenomic investigation of bacterial laccases in a straw-amended soil
Background Bacterial laccases play a crucial role in the degradation of lignin and the turnover of soil organic matter. Their advantageous properties make them highly suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. However, the limited identification of these potential enzymes has impeded their full utilization. The straw-amended soil provides materials for the development of bacterial laccases. Methods Metagenomic sequencing of a straw-amended soil was conducted to explore novel bacterial laccases. The putative bacterial laccases were then screened using profile hidden Markov models for further analysis. The most abundant gene, lacS1, was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant laccase was purified for enzymatic characterization. Results A total of 322 putative bacterial laccases were identified in the straw-amended soil. Among them, 45 sequences had less than 30% identity to any entries in the Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme database and only 4.66% were more than 75% similar to proteins in the NCBI environmental database, exhibiting their novelty. These enzymes were found across various bacterial orders, demonstrating substantial diversity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a number of the bacterial laccase sequences clustered with homologs characterized by favorable enzymatic properties. Five full-length representative bacterial laccase genes were obtained by modified thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. The laccase activity of lacS1 was validated. It was a mesophilic enzyme with alkaline stability and halotolerance, indicating its promise for industrial applications. Implications These findings highlight novel bacterial laccase resources with potential for industrial applications and enzyme engineering.
Yu et al. (2025) Metagenomic investigation of bacterial laccases in a straw-amended soil. PeerJ 13:e19327 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19327
Natural products as promising therapeutics for fine particulate matter–induced skin damage: a review of pre-clinical studies on skin inflammation and barrier dysfunction
Background Particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is a significant air pollutant and is linked to an increased risk of health conditions, including skin diseases. The skin, as the first barrier and the largest organ, is primarily damaged by PM2.5 through different pathways. Several studies have shown that PM2.5 upregulates inflammatory responses through the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and several inflammatory cytokines, leading to PM2.5-induced skin damage. The ROS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Cyclooxygenase-2-Prostaglandin E2 (COX2/PGE2) inflammatory pathways are activated by free radical scavenging and phase II detoxification. Natural products have been suggested as therapeutic agents for mitigating PM2.5-induced skin damage. Objectives We elaborate on the mechanisms of action of natural products and their functions as protectants against environmental skin diseases. This review highlights the optimal doses of natural products for clinical study, which may benefit dermatologists, molecular biologists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals in preventive and alternative medicine. Methodology The available scientific literature published between 1999 and 2024 was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar. Multiple keywords related to the topic were used. Only 41 of the screened articles were chosen for this review, as they were the most relevant publications on the topic of the preventive advantages of natural products and specific pathways targeting PM2.5-induced skin injury. All relevant articles meeting the criteria of being original full articles and written in English were included. Results This review summarized the natural products, including phenolic/polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids, that can act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents by protecting the skin against oxidative stress, inhibiting enzymes that promote free radical formation, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and reducing overall ROS formation. Several natural products have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating intracellular ROS, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis caused by PM2.5. In addition, phytochemical agents support the restoration of the skin wound healing process and muscle contraction impaired by environmental pollutants, such as PM2.5 and UV rays. Conclusion This review highlights promising natural agents that can protect against environment-mediated health problems by focusing on their mechanisms of action. Particular emphasis is placed on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, including sulforaphane, hesperidin, quercetin, catechin, diphloroethohydroxycarmalol, resveratrol, and ginsenoside, which have become interesting candidates as nutraceuticals due to their potential to reduce reliance on conventional medicines. However, the low stability and bioavailability of natural products remain significant challenges to their clinical use; therefore, further research and development are warranted.
Jeayeng et al. (2025) Natural products as promising therapeutics for fine particulate matter–induced skin damage: a review of pre-clinical studies on skin inflammation and barrier dysfunction. PeerJ 13:e19316 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19316
Cryptocurrency trading and its relationship with other addictions among healthcare professionals in Türkiye
Introduction There is a continuum between gambling and investing behaviors, with speculative investment instruments positioned in the middle. Cryptocurrencies, being significantly more volatile than traditional investment tools, have increasingly been linked to gambling disorder (GD). This study aims to examine the relationship between cryptocurrency trading behavior and GD, high-risk substance use, high-risk alcohol use, and tobacco dependence among healthcare professionals in Türkiye. Methods A total of 192 healthcare professionals were assessed using the Problematic Cryptocurrency Trading Scale (PCTS), Gambling Disorder Screening Test (GDST), and the Addiction Profile Index Risk Screening Form (APIRS) (Alcohol and Drug Scales). Categorical data comparisons between two independent groups were conducted using Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between PCTS scores and APIRS/GDST scores. Additionally, linear regression models assessed the predictive relationships between PCTS scores and APIRS/GDST scores. Results Among the participants, 25.5% reported engaging in cryptocurrency trading, 41.7% had tobacco dependence, 15.1% reported high-risk alcohol use, 5.7% had high-risk substance use, and 8.9% met the criteria for GD. Cryptocurrency traders demonstrated higher rates of substance use (p = 0.033), tobacco dependence (p < 0.001), and GD (p = 0.043). Additionally, the severity of problematic cryptocurrency trading behavior was positively correlated with the severity of substance use (r = 0.172, p = 0.017) and GD (r = 0.455, p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings indicate a significant relationship between cryptocurrency trading behavior and addiction. Further research with clinical interviews and larger sample sizes is required to validate these findings. The high rates of alcohol, substance, tobacco, and gambling addictions observed among healthcare professionals underscore the need for targeted preventive measures and interventions in this population.
Mumcu et al. (2025) Cryptocurrency trading and its relationship with other addictions among healthcare professionals in Türkiye. PeerJ 13:e19314 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19314
Evaluating soil salinity dynamics under drip irrigation in the Manas River Basin, Xinjiang: a long-term analysis (1996–2019)
The Manas River Basin, located in Xinjiang, China, is one of the province’s four major agricultural irrigation regions and the first in the country to implement large-scale drip irrigation. While drip irrigation has enhanced water use efficiency, it has also contributed to soil salinization, negatively impacting crop yields and soil health. This study examines the spatial and temporal evolution of soil salinity in the oasis area of the basin from 1996 to 2019. The study evaluates salinization dynamics under long-term irrigation practices using soil salinity inversion models, regression analysis, water-salt balance calculations, geostatistical techniques, and ArcGIS. The results reveal significant improvements in soil salinity conditions, with 78.02% of the region experiencing reduced salinity and 10.09% exhibiting deterioration. From 1996 to 2019, non-salinized soil increased by 1,403.46 km2, mildly salinized soil expanded by 3,702.28 km2, while saline soils decreased by 7,685.6 km2. Statistical analysis indicates that soil salinity followed normal or logarithmic-normal distributions, with higher variability observed in 2016 and 2019. Despite these positive trends, challenges remain, particularly in the Shihezi, Manas, and Mosuowan irrigation zones, which still exhibit moderate to severe salinity. This study highlights the effectiveness of drip irrigation combined with improved management practices in mitigating soil salinity and enhancing soil quality. However, it emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to address residual salinization risks, ensuring sustainable agricultural development and ecological balance in arid regions.
Spatial and Geographic Information Science
Shao et al. (2025) Evaluating soil salinity dynamics under drip irrigation in the Manas River Basin, Xinjiang: a long-term analysis (1996–2019). PeerJ 13:e19295 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19295
Predicting the potential distribution of Phacellanthus tubiflorus (Orobanchaceae): a modeling approach using MaxEnt and ArcGIS
Phacellanthus tubiflorus Sieb. et Zucc, a vascular plant species, is believed to possess pharmacological properties including anti-fatigue and immunoenhancement. However, its distribution data is limited. Owing to the prospective medicinal relevance of this species, we proposed a comprehensive investigation for conservation and utilization. In this study, we aimed to scrutinize the plant holistically, ranging from the macroscopic to microscopic level. Specifically, we developed an ecological model using 51 records of P. tubiflorus subjected to seven environmental conditions. This model attained an exceptional area under curve (AUC ) value of 0.990 with a standard deviation of 0.004, and true skill statistic (TSS) value of 0.989, indicating a potently predictive capacity. Through the MaxEnt model, we completed a systematic depiction of the ecological niche of P. tubiflorus, revealing its primary global distribution. We carried out field surveys in the Changbai Mountain region to validate the model’s accuracy and conducted observations focusing on the phenological attributes of P. tubiflorus, highlighting its largely subterranean existence. Factors such as seasonality of precipitation and temperature were found to sway its distribution, engendering comparably stable acclimation habitats. This research contributes to the data repository for facilitating subsequent studies on this species. Integrating botanical and ecological approaches, we proposed a more profound comprehension and evaluation of a species’ behavior, survival strategies, and associations with other populations within specific habitats. Furthermore, this inclusive approach would assist in addressing pivotal environmental issues related to species conservation, biodiversity, and land development.
Chang et al. (2025) Predicting the potential distribution of Phacellanthus tubiflorus (Orobanchaceae): a modeling approach using MaxEnt and ArcGIS. PeerJ 13:e19291 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19291
Effects of bortezomib on intracellular antioxidant and apoptosis in HepG2cells
Bortezomib, as a proteasome inhibitor, is used in clinical trials related to solid cancers. However, its use is not always associated with a good response to treatment. Taking into account the above, we decided to analyze the effect of the time-dependency (24 vs. 48 h) and the dose-dependency of bortezomib (2, 4, 8 and 16 nM) on apoptosis and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione transferase (GST), as well as concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2) cells. We have shown that increasing concentrations of bortezomib caused (I) a gradual decrease in the levels of GSH; (II) changes in MDA concentrations and antioxidant enzymes activities; (III) increase in apoptosis levels in HepG2 cells. We did not find significant association between antioxidant parameters and number of apoptotic cells. Our study showed that the analyzed parameters (such as: CAT, SOD, GR, GPx, GST, GSH, MDA) changed after bortezomib treatment. It is important to search for new anti-cancer therapies based on next-generation proteasome inhibitors. It is possible that the use of proteins associated with oxidative stress will help enhance the action of these inhibitors and will provide a better treatment effect.
Świderska-Kołacz et al. (2025) Effects of bortezomib on intracellular antioxidant and apoptosis in HepG2cells. PeerJ 13:e19235 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19235